The foreign ministry will set up a consultative council to discuss foreign policies with experts.

Its minister Saifuddin Abdullah said for a start, it will be a small group of 10 to 12 people and he will chair it himself.

It will include ministry officials, former ambassadors, think tank staff and international relations experts.

"We will also have representatives from the private sector as they are involved in international trade and commerce," he told reporters after attending a dialogue session on national integration and unity in Kuala Lumpur.

"I also expect there will be a parliamentary committee on foreign policies," he said, adding that the proposal to set up the committee will be taken to the Cabinet.

Saifuddin, who was sworn in as minister yesterday, stressed that the best ideas were needed as Malaysia’s foreign policy was important in the context of the new government.

- Bernama