BEFORE Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the Foreign Ministry’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030 in Putrajaya last Monday, the Foreign Minister held a mini townhall with the ministry’s top management, department heads and undersecretaries.
The session with the minister, held less than two weeks ago, gave the country’s diplomats an opportunity to brief Mohamad on their work plan for the year.
When it was his turn to speak, Mohamad voiced concerns about the welfare of diplomats and the vacant posts at Malaysian missions abroad.
“The Foreign Minister spoke of the need to fill these positions. He also touched on the integrity of our diplomats,” shared an officer who attended the session, adding that the mood was positive because it was clear that the country’s top diplomat himself was very aware of the issues facing the ministry.
Over the years, some of our diplomats have shared their frustrations, particularly the ministry’s lack of resources, with this columnist.
An oft-cited example was how positions made vacant by retirement could not be filled for various reasons including a mismatch in the pay grade of certain head of mission posts – too high for a junior officer to fill but too low for a senior officer. Some identified candidates have even declined the positions for reasons best known to them. Then there were cases of officers being recalled due to disciplinary problems. Granted it takes time to find replacements, but surely the ministry would have anticipated this and made plans, they groused.
At the strategic plan’s launch, Mohamad has reminded the diplomats of the trust placed on them for carrying out their work well.
“They are those working far from their families or handling crises or issues. Their responsibilities may not be headline news, but it is a heavy burden they have to carry in the interest of the nation.”
In his speech, Anwar lauded Wisma Putra for its commendable performance, adding that official visits abroad have generated tangible benefits for the country.
“Wisma Putra engagements go beyond courtesy visits, as they are designed to deliver tangible benefits while providing opportunities to elevate Malaysia’s standing as a trading nation,” he said.
Wisma Putra is addressing the manpower shortage by working with related agencies to place more Administrative and Diplomatic officers (PTD) in the ministry. The PTD officers are often referred to as the crème-de-la-creme of the civil service.
Wisma Putra could not get the full manpower because the parties deciding the deployment of PTD officers must also share the manpower with other ministries under this Madani Government.
Due to staff shortages, Wisma Putra has resorted to hiring people on contract basis’ but these people are not trained to do diplomatic work overseas. They then end up handling “non-substantive” assignments like logistics, even though they help to reduce the workload in the ministry.
As securing permanent replacements is taking a long time, problems may also arise in closing the gap between the seniors and juniors, especially with the pending retirement of senior officers in the next few years. It is important for a succession plan to be put in place.
As for present vacancies abroad, the good news is that three batches of diplomats will be posted throughout this year.
It is understood the first batch of around 10 diplomats is expected to receive accreditation in April. These postings will fill the gap in some countries but there will still be missions without an ambassador. Consideration is given to deploying our diplomats in priority areas in all continents.
As for the five-year strategic plan, it is a routine exercise in outlining actionable initiatives to reaffirm Malaysia’s commitment to a principled and pragmatic approach in diplomacy.
Malaysia has successfully balanced its bilateral, regional and multilateral engagements and is known as a moderate country.
“We have done very well to strike a fine balance with the superpowers, whether China, the United States, or Russia, we are friends with everyone. We are one of the few countries that have managed to do that over the years and that is not an easy thing,” said an official.
“If we know exactly what our strengths are and what we have done well, we should be able to adapt to the changing and challenging geopolitics.
“We remain friendly and maintain open trade and investment which is important, especially now when the world has become more polarised,” he said.
Despite the support and strong commendations from the Prime Minister, some diplomats are weary that the strategic plan will remain mere rhetoric.
Strategic plans are good because they are definitive, but an organisation also needs to have a heart especially concerning staff welfare, which in turn should boost the productivity of those concerned.
Now that would be a good strategy and reset for Wisma Putra.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
