Your progress will be slow. IMDA has many layers, more than typical ministries. Need to be promoted twice just to shed the "Assistant" in "Assistant Manager".

If you want to rise quickly you will have to play the game of courting favour from bosses, taking up more work than the average colleague, and actually delivering good quality work. In IMDA dealing with people is far more taxing than doing the actual work, as instructions often do not make sense, middle managers are lazy or afraid to get clarity and the top boss is either oblivious or abusive.

Good luck.