KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — The Auditor-General’s Report (LKAN) 2/2026 revealed that several posts at the Malaysian Embassies in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Beijing, China, remain vacant despite being provided for under approved staffing warrants.
The report, covering the Federal Government Financial Statements for 2025 and tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today, found that four Home-Based Staff positions at the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta and two at the embassy in Beijing remained unfilled.
It also found that six Locally Recruited Staff positions at the Beijing embassy remained vacant between 2017 and 2025.
A staffing warrant is a legal document authorising the creation or abolition of public service posts, or adjustments to salary grades under a specific expenditure item.
In its response to the audit, the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) said it is taking corrective measures on officer placement, considering operational needs and resource constraints to ensure critical functions remain unaffected.
“A discussion with the Staffing and Organisation Division (BPO) was held on July 7, 2026, on the proposed restructuring of Wisma Putra. During the discussion, BPO proposed an engagement session between Wisma Putra and the Public Service Department (JPA) to discuss the proposal further,” the report said.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing said it had finalised the recruitment of Locally Recruited Staff for the positions of Publications Officer/Translator and Driver on Nov 3, 2025.
For the remaining positions of Junior General Assistant, two General Workers, and General Worker/Domestic Helper/Cleaner, the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing said there was no immediate need to fill them, as cleaning and landscaping contractors were carrying out the duties.
To prevent a recurrence, the Auditor-General recommended that Wisma Putra follow up with JPA on staffing matters to ensure vacancies are filled in line with approved warrants.
“Wisma Putra must take action in line with the government’s intention to rationalise staffing requirements based on the workload, functions and roles of diplomatic missions to reduce costs and optimise resources,” the report said.
Meanwhile, LKAN 2/2026 also found that surprise inspections at the Malaysian Embassy in Beijing were not conducted comprehensively, with checks limited to petty cash.
This does not comply with Treasury Instruction (AP) 309, which stipulates that department heads must conduct periodic unannounced inspections at least once every six months of all safes, vaults, cash boxes, drawers or other containers holding money under the custody of officers in their ministry/department.
It said that the weaknesses need to be addressed to ensure that internal controls and financial management at Malaysian missions abroad remain orderly, efficient, and effective.
