Ministers, Officials Go Around The World On 50 Trips In 50 Days

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — Ministers, deputy ministers, secretary-generals, deputy secretary-generals, and other officials from 22 ministries, including two statutory bodies, travelled around the world on at least 50 trips in seven weeks.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, politicians in the executive, and top civil servants globe-trotted across 48 cities and 24 countries in central, east, and southeast Asia; central, east, and west Europe; North America; as well as Australasia from May 1 to June 19 this year.

Their jet-setting covered major metropolitan cities like London, Paris, and New York.

At least 50 international visits were undertaken by the federal administration in 50 days, averaging at one every day in that period, despite a government-wide austerity directive by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) late April. Cost-cutting measures also applied to federal statutory bodies.

Anwar announced last March that foreign travel for ministers and all government departments would be limited, except those that were compulsory or had already been scheduled.

Budget cuts have hit the underfunded and understaffed health service particularly hard. CodeBlue previously reported a hiring freeze, besides stricter controls of overtime allowance claims, medicine usage, and laboratory tests.

In fact, Ministry of Health (MOH) secretary-general Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad even wrote in a May 25 circular that overseas visits should be limited to scheduled meetings and those that genuinely require physical attendance.

It’s also unclear whether spending cuts were partly the reason for a drop in approved subspecialty training places from reportedly 395 last year to just 307 this year out of 672 applications.

The 307 approvals were fewer than 400 available slots, equivalent to just about three out of four positions filled. The MOH claimed that 115 out of 123 appeals didn’t fulfil requirements set by their subspecialties. But a specialist doctor disputed this, telling CodeBlue that some subspecialties didn’t receive a single candidate despite endorsements. 

The Defence Ministry – including the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College (MAFDC), besides the minister, deputy minister, secretary-general, and deputy secretary-general – undertook the most overseas trips at eight, including to France, Italy, the Netherlands, Türkiye, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Only nine ministries or departments under the following ministers did not publicly post about overseas visits for official duties from last May 1 to June 19:

1. Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry: Chang Lih Kang
2. Communications Ministry: Fahmi Fadzil
3. Education Ministry: Fadhlina Sidek
4. Digital Ministry: Gobind Singh Deo
5. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh
6. Rural and Regional Development Ministry: Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
7. Works Ministry: Alexander Nanta Linggi
8. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) TS. Mustapha @ Mohd Yunus Sakmud
9. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan

Overseas trips by lower-ranked officials like department director-generals and division secretaries or undersecretaries were counted in CodeBlue’s analysis, besides visits by ministers, deputy ministers, secretary-generals, and deputy secretary-generals.

Travel purposes were mostly for international conferences or meetings, besides official visits.

CodeBlue excluded ministers’ pilgrimages to Mecca and sole accompaniments to royal visits, besides military exercises.

The cost of each of the 50 trips abroad in 50 days is unknown because the government isn’t legally obliged to make such information public. It’s unclear if certain trips were funded by the private sector because no ministry has made such an announcement or declared any conflict of interest in receiving large contributions.

Ministers and civil servants ranked Jusa A are entitled to first class flights for overseas travel. Many airlines have already phased out first class seating on international flights by rebranding it as business class, but it remains about four to five times the cost of the same flight ticketed in economy. It’s unclear if government delegations always stay in five-star hotels during official trips overseas.

Although funding can’t be transferred from one ministry to another, reducing or eliminating international travel for official duties altogether might enable the Treasury to reduce cuts to the MOH’s budget.

CodeBlue’s findings were based on hundreds of Facebook posts by ministries, ministers, and deputy ministers, besides the PM and KSN among other official pages. The dates in the list below are either confirmed or approximate because some trips did not have dates of departure and return specified, but only the date when a specific programme was highlighted.

The delegation sizes for the 50 overseas trips are also unknown because only the head of delegation is often named.

Health Ministry (MOH)

1. Geneva, Switzerland

• May 18-23, 2026
• Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad
• Attended the 79th World Health Assembly.

Three weeks after promoting lung health at the World Health Assembly, Dzulkefly and the government filed an appeal against a High Court ruling that quashed the removal of liquid and gel nicotine used in e-cigarettes and vape from the Poisons List.

Defence Ministry (Mindef)

1. Paris, France

• June 15-16, 2026 (approximate)
• Armed Forces chief General Malek Razak Sulaiman
• Attended Eurosatory 2026.

2. Istanbul and Kocaeli, Türkiye

• June 5-8, 2026
• Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari
• Visited Archon Defense, met with his Türkiye counterpart, and attended the naming and launching ceremony of LMS Batch 2 Raja Laut.

3. Jakarta, Indonesia

• June 5, 2026 (approximate)
• Mindef deputy secretary-general (policy) Mohd Yani Daud
• Visited Indonesian deputy defence minister.

4. Ankara and Istanbul, Türkiye

• June 4-5, 2026 (approximate)
• Mindef secretary-general Lokman Hakim Ali
• Visited Onder Savunna and InfoDif Research Center in Ankara and met with Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) Istanbul.

5. Singapore

• May 29-31, 2026
• Defence Minister Khaled Nordin
• Attended IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2026.

6. Istanbul, Turkey

• May 21-24, 2026 (approximate)
• Defence Minister Khaled Nordin
• Visited a few defence companies and attended the naming and launching ceremony of Littoral Mission Ship Batch 2 (LMSB2), Tunku Laksamana Abdul Jalil.

7. The Hague, Delft, and Amsterdam (the Netherlands)

• May 18-25, 2026
• Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College (MAFDC) Cohort 46/2026 course participants from Syndicates 1 and 2
• Conducted an extra regional field study visit.

“Beyond official engagements, CP (course participants) also explored the Netherlands’ cultural and historical heritage through visits to Zaanse Schans, Amsterdam city centre, cultural sites and local attractions, providing greater understanding of Dutch society and culture,” wrote MAFDC in a Facebook post on May 26.

8. Rome, Pisa, and Florence (Italy)

• May 11-18, 2026
• MAFDC Cohort 46/2026 course participants from Syndicates 3 and 4
• Conducted an extra regional field study visit.

“Beyond official engagements, course participants explored Italy’s deep cultural and historical heritage. This included visits to Pisa, Florence, and historic sights in Rome,” wrote MAFDC in a Facebook post on May 20.

Foreign Ministry (Mofa)

1. Manila, the Philippines

• June 9, 2026 (approximate)
• Foreign Ministry secretary-general Amran Mohamed Zin
• Attended the Asean Plus Three Senior Officials’ Meeting.

2. Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

• May 19, 2026 (approximate)
• Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan
• Met with his Myanmar counterpart.

3. Christchurch, New Zealand

• May 14-15, 2026 (approximate)
• Asean-Malaysia National Secretariat director-general Zanariah Zainal Abidin
• Attended the 33rd Asean-New Zealand Dialogue.

4. Sydney, Australia

• May 12-13, 2026 (approximate)
• Asean-Malaysia National Secretariat director-general Zanariah Zainal Abidin
• Attended the 38th Asean-Australia Forum.

5. New Delhi, India

• May 13-15, 2026
• Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan
• Attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Investment, Trade And Industry Ministry (Miti)

1. Suzhou, China

• May 22-23, 2026 (approximate)
• Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani
• Attended the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting 2026.

2. Chengdu, China

• May 19, 2026 (approximate)
• Investment, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzin
• Attended the Tsinghua PBCSF Global Finance Forum 2026.

3. Washington DC, United States

• May 12-13, 2026 (approximate)
• Miti secretary-general Hairil Yahri Yaacob and deputy secretary-general (international trade) Mastura Ahmad Mustafa.
• Met with the United States Chamber of Commerce and attended a Section 301 consultation session.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

1. Kazan (Russia) and Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

• June 16-19, 2026 
• Met with Russia president Vladimir Putin, attended the Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit, and visited Turkmenistan president Serdar Berdimuhamedow, besides meeting with Uzbekistan president Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a brief stopover in Tashkent.

2. Tokyo, Japan

• June 8-10, 2026
• Met with Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and attended the Nikkei Forum.

3. Cebu, the Philippines

• May 7-8, 2026
• Attended the 48th Asean Summit.

Natural Resources And Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES)

1. New York, United States

• May 11-15, 2026 (approximate) 
• NRES biodiversity and forestry management division undersecretary S. Siva Kumar, Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia director-general Zahari Ibrahim, and Sabah Forestry Department deputy chief conservator of forests (planning and management) Indra Purwandita Herry Sunjoto. 
• Attended the 21st Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21).

2. Wellington, New Zealand

• May 11-15, 2026
• NRES secretary-general Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin, climate change division (BPI) undersecretary Ahmad Farid Mohamed, and BPI senior assistant secretary Muhammad Ridzwan bin Ali.
• Attended the New Zealand–Southeast Asia Climate Policy Leaders Meeting.

3. Hiroshima, Japan

• May 11-21, 2026
• NRES environmental management division undersecretary Pubadi Govindasamy 
• Attended the 48th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and the 28th Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) Meeting.

Home Affairs Ministry (KDN)

1. Manila, the Philippines

• June 4-5, 2026
• Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deputy director-general (operations) Mohd Zawawi Abdullah 
• Attended the 5th Asean Coast Guard Forum High-Level Meeting (5th ACF HLM).

2. Moscow, Russia

• May 26-29, 2026
• KDN deputy secretary-general (security) Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman 
• Attended the first International Security Forum (ISF 2026) and the 14th International Meeting of High-Ranking Officials Responsible for Security Matters (14th HLOSM).

3. Jakarta, Indonesia

• May 25, 2026 (approximate)
• Deputy Home Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah
• Met with the Malaysian embassy to look at the promotion of Lenggong as a Unesco Global Geopark and World Heritage Site.

Women, Family And Community Development Ministry (KPWKM)

1. Pasay City, the Philippines

• June 3-4, 2026 
• KPWKM deputy secretary-general (strategic) Mohd Daud Mohd Arif
• Attended the High-Level Forum on Unlocking the Silver Economy.

2. Shanghai, China

• May 13-16, 2026 
• KPWKM secretary-general Maziah Che Yusoff and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri.
• Attended the Plenary Meeting of the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) 2026 (May 13-14) and APEC Women and the Economy Forum (WEF) 2026 (May 15-16) respectively.

3. Bangkok, Thailand

• May 6-8, 2026
• KPWKM policy and strategic planning division, senior citizen policy unit officer Siti Nurul Munawirah Mohamad Roslan
• Attended the International Conference on Community-Based Care Systems and Community Resilience.

Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma)

1. Geneva, Switzerland

• June 8-11, 2026 (approximate)
• Human Resources Minister R. Ramanan, Kesuma deputy secretary-general (policy and international) Mohd Shaharin Umar, Kesuma labour policy division undersecretary Grace Dairiam, Socso chief executive officer Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, and political secretary Aizuddin Abd Gaffal. 
• Attended the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference.

2. Brunei Darussalam

• May 25-June 6, 2026
• Kesuma TVET coordination unit head Ts. Junnaina binti Husin Chua and deputy Zool Hilmi Ashari, as well as ADTEC JTM Miri campus director Mustal Makmud. 
• Conducted Design Thinking–Based Mixed-Methods Research for the implementation of Greening Education Readiness Index (GERI) in TVET.

Agriculture And Food Security Ministry (KPKM)

1. Tashkent, Uzbekistan

• June 11-17, 2026
• Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu
• Met with his Uzbekistan counterpart and attended the Tashkent International Investment Forum opening ceremony.

2. Antalya, Turkey

• June 8-12, 2026
• KPKM secretary-general Isham Ishak
• Attended the 24th CGIAR System Council Meeting.

Entrepreneur And Cooperatives Development Ministry (Kuskop)

1. Bangkok, Thailand

• May 25-28, 2026 (approximate)
• Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Deputy Minister Mohamad Alamin
• Conducted a trade mission during Thaifex-Anuga Asia 2026.

2. Seoul, South Korea

• May 21-22, 2026
• Kuskop secretary-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud and Kuskop policy and international relations division secretary Mahil Ahmad.
• Attended the 61st APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group Meeting.

Housing And Local Government Ministry (KPKT)

1. Singapore

• June 15, 2026
• Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming
• Attended the 10th World Cities Summit (WCS) 2026.

2. Baku, Azerbaijan

• May 17-22, 2026 
• Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming
• Attended the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).

Tourism, Arts And Culture Ministry (Motac)

1. Kazan and Moscow (Russia)

• May 16-19, 2026 (approximate)
• Motac secretary-general Shaharuddin Abu Sohot
• Attended the 3rd Meeting of the Russian–Malaysian Working Group on Tourism in line with the XVII International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: Kazanforum” in Kazan and witnessed an MOU signing in Moscow.

Chief Secretary To The Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar

1. Guangzhou, Beijing, Nanjing, and Shanghai (China)

• June 16-20, 2026
• Visited the Guangzhou Metro HQ, discussed the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Beijing, monitored the project in Nanjing, and visited Huawei’s R&D centre in Shanghai.

Plantation And Commodities Ministry (KPK)

1. Shanghai and Zhangjiagang (China)

• May 12-14, 2026 (approximate)
• Plantation and Commodities Minister Noraini Ahmad
• Attended the Malaysian Palm Oil Forum (MPOF) China 2026 in Shanghai and met with companies in Zhangjiagang.

Higher Education Ministry (MOHE)

1. Tomsk, Russia

• May 1, 2026 (approximate)
• MOHE secretary-general Anesee Ibrahim
• Visited the National Research Tomsk State University (TSU) and National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU).

Employees Provident Fund (EPF)

1. London, United Kingdom

• May 14, 2026 (approximate)
• EPF chief investment officer Mohamad Hafiz Kassim
• Attended the Kwasa Invest Reception 2026.

Finance Ministry (MOF)

1. Samarkand, Uzbekistan

• May 3-5, 2026
• MOF deputy secretary-general (policy) Zamzuri Abdul Aziz
• Attended the 29th Asean+3 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (29th AFMGM+3) and Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 59th annual meeting.

National Unity Ministry

1. Chennai, India

• May 23-24, 2026 (approximate)
• National Unity deputy minister R. Yuneswaran
• Presented several film awards at the 18th Edison Awards for Tamil cinema.

Transport Ministry (MOT)

1. Nanning, Guangxi, China

• May 21, 2026
• Transport Minister Anthony Loke
• Attended the 7th China–Malaysia Port Alliance (CMPA) Meeting.

Economy Ministry

1. Cebu, the Philippines

• May 6-7, 2026
• Deputy Economy Minister Mohd Shahar Abdullah
• Attended the BIMP-EAGA Summit.

Domestic Trade And Cost Of Living Ministry (KPDN)

1. Hanoi, Vietnam

• June 8-10, 2026
• Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh
• Attended the Asean Future Forum 2026.

Youth And Sports Ministry (KBS)

1. Bali, Indonesia

• May 3-5, 2026
• KBS secretary-general Rahimi Ismail
• Attended the Southeast Asia Ministerial Meeting on Youth and Sports 2026.

National Water Services Commission (Span)

1. Singapore

• June 18, 2026 (approximate)
• Span chairman Abdul Kadir Mohd Din and Span commissioner Prof Zainura Zainon Noor
• Attended the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2026.

Minister In The Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said

1. Singapore

• June 3, 2026
• Witnessed an MOU signing.