The government has now moved the Community Communications Department (J-Kom) to the Communications Ministry.
Its minister Fahmi Fadzil made the announcement at a press conference in Putrajaya today, after the reshuffled cabinet’s first meeting.
J-Kom was moved to the Prime Minister’s Department in 2021 by then communications minister Saifuddin Abdullah.
The agency, in its current function, was rebranded from the BN-era Special Affairs Department (Jasa), often associated with government propaganda.
J-Kom was entangled in a controversy last month when former academician Mohammad Agus Yusoff resigned from his post as the agency’s director-general.
The announcement was made several hours before he was implicated in a viral video of him allegedly having a lewd conversation with another male - which is now being investigated by the police.
Asked to comment on Agus’ replacement, Fahmi said that he needed to finalise certain matters.
”I have yet to meet with J-Kom and I need to give them the time and space to be briefed before I can comment further.
”We’ll perhaps wait for a few days to finalise certain matters,” he said during a press conference in Putrajaya today.
Other agencies to remain under the ministry include Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) and MyCreative Ventures.
The ministry will also oversee the Information Department, national news agency Bernama, the Tun Abdul Razak Institute of Broadcasting and Information (IPPTAR) and the Broadcasting Department, including RTM.
This comes after the Communications and Digital Ministry was split into two, with Fahmi helming the Communications Ministry and the Digital Ministry being headed by Gobind Singh Deo.
Agencies such as Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Malaysia Network Information Centre (MYNIC Berhad) and the Personal Data Protection Department will now be placed under the Digital Ministry.
The ministry that will oversee Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) has yet to be decided, Fahmi added.
The Lembah Pantai MP said that decisions have yet to be made about agencies under other ministries, noting that a Ministerial Functions Order is expected to be issued in January 2024 once discussions have been completed.
He added that agencies will not be merged but consolidated under the relevant ministries.
Splitting portfolio timely
Elaborating further, Fahmi explained the need for the split between the communications and digital portfolios into separate ministries.
“It’s important to clarify that the ministry (communications and digital) was broken into two because, based on my experience which I conveyed to the prime minister, the digital aspect also involves several other ministries.
“There must be some form of standardisation since the digital economy plays a key role in strengthening our economy under the New Industrial Master Plan.
“To me, the decision to have a Digital Ministry on its own is not just right, but also timely,” he said. - Mkini
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