Only 200 outstanding Public Services Department (PSD)-sponsored students who graduated with first-class honours will be absorbed by the PSD for the 2018 administration and diplomatic officers (PTD) intake.

PSD in a statement today said they would be part of the 750 new officers to be recruited. The remaining positions were opened to other graduates as well as officers serving in other schemes of service.

"The priority is given based on the excellent performance shown by the PSD-sponsored students, who we trust will be able to contribute greatly to the country especially in the public sector," the statement said.

PSD issued the statement following confusion over a report on the intake of new PTD officers involving first-class PSD-sponsored graduates.

- Bernama