Q & A About PTD: Permohonan Jawatan PTD dan Kelulusan

Question received via email dated 22 February 2017:

Salam saudara Saupee. I hope you are able to help with some questions here.

1. Is there any age restriction for us to apply for the PTD Post. (say at 41). 

2. To become a diplomatic officer and work with the embassy / wisma putra / foreign ministry, is PTD the only post that we can go for or is there any other post for an International Relation graduates can apply for.

Thank you very much in advance if are answering my mail.

May allah granted barakah to you and family.

Mxxxxxxi binti xxxad

Anwer:

Hello Mxxxxxxi,

1. As far as I am aware, there is no age restriction to apply for PTD post. As a general rule, the applicant must have at least a bachelor degree recognised by Public Service Department of Malaysia or known as JPA;

2. The PTD post, though it is known as Pegawai Tadbir dan Diplomatik or Administrative and Diplomatic Officer, it actually does not automatically carry a "Diplomatic" status. The diplomatic status is a credential accorded to an officer by the government to serve in a foreign country which the both countries have an official bilateral diplomatic relation. It is governed under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. A Diplomat works with the embassy, that is under the purview of Foreign Ministry and majority of them are PTDs. That is the privilege of being a PTD officer. Thus, a diplomat may also be appointed from other service scheme such as a military personnel, a policemen, an immigration officer etc. All diplomats work for and answerable to the Head of Mission who are the officers from the Foreign Ministry.

In regards to your academic qualification, having the IR certificate may earn you some plus points for consideration when you chose your preferred ministry. But, please be reminded that you may not get what you want. A PTD officer can be posted to anywhere and anytime depending on the situation and the government's priority.

I hope the answer has enlighten your doubts and I encourage you to apply for PTD post if you keen to serve the country!!!