Order of business: Fahmi speaking to reporters after taking his oath of office at Istana Negara on Saturday. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: New Digital Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil is concerned about the severity of online scams, some of which have tricked Malaysians into going to other countries on fake job offers.
He said the activities of scammers would be given strong attention as part of his immediate plans for his ministry.
Other issues that he will look into are data protection and the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media.
Fahmi also said the main focus of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government would be to tackle the cost of living issues.
“This will be our focus, especially within the first month in office,” he said.
The 41-year-old is among the ministers appointed last Saturday to clock in for work today. The Lembah Pantai MP is among the 14 fresh faces in Anwar’s Cabinet line-up.
Fahmi said he was surprised and humbled by the appointment.
“I will be spending much time getting to know and fully understanding the different agencies, major policies and current issues facing this sector,” he said.
Fahmi was also part of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights and Gender Equality during the 14th Parliament term and is known for raising pertinent issues.
He is also Pakatan Harapan’s communications director and PKR’s information chief.
He retained the Lembah Pantai seat in a four-cornered fight for a second term in the 15th General Election with a majority of 13,912 votes.
Fahmi joined PKR in 2010 and served as political secretary to former Lembah Pantai MP and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar from 2010 to 2013.
He made his electoral debut in the 14th General Election in 2018, where he defeated former federal territories minister Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin with a 5,598-vote majority.
