Wisma Putra to restructure to address overseas staffing shortages

KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry is collaborating with multiple agencies to devise a restructuring plan aimed at tackling staffing shortages impacting its operations, including those at overseas diplomatic missions. Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni revealed the ministry is in close coordination with the Public Service Department and the Finance Ministry on this restructuring effort to enhance service delivery and tackle human resource challenges.

The ministry's staffing gaps are attributed to a temporary recruitment freeze for various public service initiatives, a predicament shared by other ministries and agencies. These vacancies stem from diverse factors, including the suspension of recruitment for several public service schemes. Speaking during the conclusion of debates on the Auditor General's Report in the Dewan Rakyat today, Lukanisman emphasized the ministry's seriousness in addressing the audit findings regarding unfilled positions at several Malaysian diplomatic missions, especially in Jakarta and Beijing.

He noted that deploying officers to foreign diplomatic missions must consider the ministry's current financial and human resources, with postings aligned to service needs, bilateral relations priorities, and the nation's foreign policy direction. To address this issue, the Foreign Ministry must continue optimizing its existing workforce to ensure efficient completion of all diplomatic and administrative tasks, according to Lukanisman.

The filling of overseas positions is also subject to central agencies like PSD and the Finance Ministry, ensuring alignment with public service policies and the government's financial capabilities. The Auditor General's Report 2/2026, presented in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, indicated that four home-based staff positions at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta and two at the Beijing embassy remained vacant despite being provisioned under approved staffing warrants.

Additionally, six locally recruited positions at the Beijing embassy were vacant between 2017 and 2025. Lukanisman stated that the ministry is also implementing measures to optimize existing manpower while working with central agencies on the restructuring plan, with the objective of bolstering the ministry's service delivery and resolving the human resource challenges faced.