No diplomatic immunity from austerity
Tightened purse strings have tied the hands of our diplomats – abroad and locally.
YOU’RE overseas and you lose your passport. Domestic turmoil breaks out or a natural disaster strikes, and you find yourself trapped in a foreign country. In all three scenarios, whom would you call?
For most of us, it would be the Malaysian embassy, which has a role to provide urgent consular assistance to Malaysians in crisis situations abroad.
From 14 missions in 1963 to 105 Malaysian diplomatic missions now, this is a testament to the ministry’s progress, according to Wisma Putra’s website.
However, in the last few months, there has been a low hum of unhappiness among Malaysian diplomatic staff. They claim their welfare is being overlooked and this has affected their ability to carry out their official duties.
A check on Malaysian diplomats abroad and here turned up the same finding – morale has dipped to an all-new low.
The reason is simple: the budget revision. Following the Treasury’s announcement of 53 wide-ranging measures to optimise public expenditure in view of the current economic climate, Wisma Putra sent out a circular announcing its budget revision.
According to those who have seen the circular, the slew of tightening measures include a 30% reduction in overtime claims, a 20% cut in utility bills, required headquarters approval for out-of-base visits that include presentation of credentials and getting home-based staff to find cheaper rentals.
These measures – and the ringgit depreciation – are taking a toll on the running of Malaysian missions.
There is talk that the ministry is compiling information to brace for possible legal action following the budget cuts, which could mean trouble is brewing among missions which may have breached local laws.
An ambassador who is accredited to another country has not presented his credentials because he has no budget to do so.
“It is embarrassing because the host government has invited me twice and I have had to decline,” he said.
Another diplomat has to beg Putrajaya monthly to make sure his staff get their salaries on time.
“Forget about overtime claims for staff like our drivers. No such claims in the last few months,” he added.
One ambassador pays for his driver’s overtime claims from his own pocket. Another has cut down on attending official functions to avoid overtime claims by his driver.
“I can drive, but the ambassador will be looking for parking spots with drivers from other missions,” he said matter-of-factly.
We may not fully understand the role of our ambassadors when they are posted overseas but they represent the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Government and the country to promote Malaysia and safeguard our national interests.
But it is not just those posted overseas who are affected. For those at home, the work scope includes attending meetings, mostly overseas.
A good example is Asean – the cornerstone of Malaysia’s foreign policy. There are easily between 50 and 70 meetings at leader, ministerial and official levels.
There are also official overseas trips undertaken by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister which require a lot of planning and people to execute a successful trip.
Wisma Putra has been accused of sending big delegations for work trips overseas. The ministry feels attending meetings would be a good training ground for junior officers.
Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Irwan Serigar Abdullah made it clear his ministry had set the benchmark of between two and five per cent savings in opex by agencies.
In a media interview early this year, Irwan said ministry heads had been given the flexibility to decide on the amount and to make rational calls where expenditure is concerned.
“You won’t die (if you cut expenditure), it won’t shake up the whole ministry if you don’t do (certain things). And you will save RM4bil for the entire 24 ministries, including the Prime Minister’s Department,” Irwan added.
For other ministries, there are other meetings that are no less important.
Wisma Putra could take heed of this and prioritise international meetings so that resources can be distributed accordingly.
These ministries gave priority to international meetings that involved the safety and security of the nation like the MH17 and MH370 tragedies, and negotiations for treaties like the five-year TransPacific Partnership that concluded successfully last year, and the ongoing Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership involving 16 countries.
Some of the ministries involved in these negotiations sent a bare minimum of officials, yet delivered what was expected of them.
Sure, Wisma Putra’s responsibilities are not easy to measure unlike their counterparts in the International Trade and Industry Ministry, which brings in foreign direct investment and returns for Malaysia’s exports through Mida and Matrade.
Miti, like other agencies, has made it a point to limit its number of officials, whether for negotiating trade agreements or when accompanying the Prime Minister abroad.
As part of the media delegation that follows Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for oversees trips regularly, you can’t help but compare the number of officials accompanying their ministers.
For example, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed will only bring one official from his office, two from Miti, and rely on the staff in the Mida and Matrade offices abroad for support and logistics.
However, other Cabinet members would bring three or four people from their office, not counting other ministry officials.
This begs the question: who will pay the flight and accommodation expenses for these officials because of their limited role on these trips? For one, they don’t sit in on the official meetings.
As Wisma Putra is facing problems managing its expenditure, one area it could look at is the five-star accommodation for the delegation during overseas trips.
In times of budget troubles, we would expect the Prime Minister to understand if he has to opt for cheaper accommodation. After all, wouldn’t that be leadership by example?
Sending smaller delegations should be the trend for the moment until the economy returns to a healthier level.
Then there is the lingering question why Malaysia needs to have so many missions.
Some feel that if the Government shuts down some missions, Wisma Putra may be able to manage its expenditure better.
Of course, there are those who feel otherwise.
“Cutting down the number of missions could sacrifice Malaysia’s proactive diplomacy. We can always rationalise and reprioritise, but not to the extent of sending out a signal that we are really in bad shape.
“Downgrading or closing missions is not easy. We must think thoroughly and comprehensively.
“The implications will affect Malaysia’s image. What message are we sending to the host country?” asked a diplomat.
With changes expected at the top bureaucratic level in the ministry at the end of the year, who will give voice to the problems faced by Wisma Putra?
As it is, some junior officers are already asking around whether the home sector would be a solution if indeed more cuts take place.
Maybe this is the tipping point – the camel’s back may break soon. Malaysia’s image has taken a battering.
In the meantime, officers and staff remain cloaked in their quiet despair and hopelessness.