His Excellency Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Holy See presented his letters of Credence to His Holiness Pope Francis on Thursday, 9 June 2016 at Vatican City.
Prior to his appointment as ambassador, Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok was a politician and has served in a number of important Ministerial portfolios both at the State as well as the Federal level. He was the former Chief Minister of Sabah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities.
Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok has also actively participated in the activities of Non-Governmental Organisations. He is the Chairman of Montfort Youth Training Centre in Sabah, Advisor to the Federation of Christian Mission School Council in Malaysia, Founder and Advisor to the Institute for Indigenous Economic Progress and Indep Education Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Advisors to the Penampang community college and Chairman of the Borneo Conservation Trust.
Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Holy See was formally established on 27 July 2011. Malaysia was the 179th country to establish diplomatic relations with the Holy See. The establishment of diplomatic relations further enhances bilateral ties between Malaysia and the Holy See particularly in promoting global peace, understanding and moderation among religions through interfaith dialogues and education.
Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok is the first Malaysian resident Ambassador to the Holy See and the 83rd resident Ambassador accredited to the Holy See. He is also concurrently accredited to the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Malta.
