Questions have been raised over the government’s move to resurrect the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) when its said functions appear to overlap with the existing Information Department.
The Communications and Multimedia Ministry previously explained that Jasa’s RM85.5 million Budget 2021 allocation was to enable it to hire skilled staff and procure software to disseminate information in an “orderly, strategic and targeted manner” to all strata of society.
The unit will also be used to combat Covid-19 related disinformation as well as to promote patriotism and unity.
To Mandeep Singh, who had served as special functions officer to former communications and multimedia minister Gobind Singh Deo, these roles were already being carried out by the Information Department (Jabatan Penerangan, or Japen).
In his experience at the ministry, he saw that Japen already had the staff, expertise, equipment and reach needed to communicate government information and policies to the ground.
“They are a legitimate agency under the government, and it is their role to go down and explain government initiatives to the public.
“Under Japen, they have a strategic communications department where they have the tools to monitor and analyse social media,” he shared.
Headed and staffed by civil servants, Mandeep said Japen had at least 169 offices nationwide with its headquarters in Putrajaya.
The department routinely distributes flyers at public places and also organises “Info On Wheels” events to communicate government initiatives.
It also has a video content channel called JapenTV and commands a significant following on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
“So why do you need Jasa? There is no need,” Mandeep opined.
To combat disinformation, especially on Covid-19, the ministry presently uses the Sebenarnya platform to alert the public about false information. The platform is available as both a website and a smartphone application.
Ministry assures new Jasa apolitical
Japen’s 2021 budget is RM158.9million and is set to maintain its 2,536 staff. According to its expected expenditure for next year, it plans to upgrade existing Japen offices as well as build new ones.
Jasa’s 2021 budget, meanwhile, is almost three times the amount of its RM30 million allocation during the 2018 election year.
The department was infamous during the Najib Razak administration as it was widely regarded as a propaganda arm for Umno.
Leading up to GE14, it had organised a public relations campaign for the beleaguered 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Its former director-general Puad Zakarshi has since admitted that Jasa was indeed a political outfit despite being funded by taxpayers money.
It was shut down when Pakatan Harapan formed the government after the 14th general election.
The ministry has since vowed that the new Jasa under the Perikatan Nasional administration would be different.
“The ministry gives its assurance to all that the revival of Jasa will be made up of a team that will have no political motive.
“The aim is to strengthen the character and social development of our multi-racial society,” it said.
Bersatu has also assured that Jasa will not be a propaganda outfit.
Nevertheless, Jasa’s revival continues to be one of the main criticisms of Budget 2021.
A petition calling for its abolishment has since received tens of thousands of signatures.- Mkini
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