Recalled ambassadors to return to Wisma Putra after UAE fiasco during PM’s visit

Malaysia – The recalled Malaysian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysian Consul-General in Dubai will be stationed at Wisma Putra and will not be assigned to the Public Service Department’s (PSD) pool system of civil servants, according to Datuk Seri Mohd Shafiq Abdullah, director-general of the Public Service Department.

He stated that the reports that the diplomats would be placed in “cold storage” that went popular on social media were false and that they would attend training to improve their abilities when they returned home.

The two diplomats were recalled, Wisma Putra said in a statement on April 11, for failing to manage administrative and logistical concerns during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s visit to the UAE late last month.

“The ministry has a frequent practice of relocating ambassadors to attend courses,” he told reporters, adding that there are presently 107 Malaysian diplomats stationed overseas.

Mohd Shafiq refuted that the phrase “cold storage” existed in the civil service since public employees who are recalled while awaiting a new assignment will enroll in courses to develop their abilities while continuing on the payroll.

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He stated that they would be given responsibilities and obliged to attend classes, but that their wages would not be withheld, and that the community’s understanding of cold storage should be changed.

He stated that new placements or being placed in the pool system while waiting for fresh assignments should not be regarded as a bad experience.

“Civil servants are willing to be transferred, and one of the public service commitments is to serve without fear or favor,” he continued.

According to Mohd Shafiq, 29 diplomatic positions are yet to be filled, with the charge d’affaires performing the tasks, and the subject is being discussed with the ministry’s secretary-general Tan Sri M Shahrul Ikram Yaakob to fill the vacancies as soon as possible.