Former FT ministry now a department, says Govt Chief Sec

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories ministry has been restructured and will be known as the Federal Territories Department, says Government Chief Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

In a social media post, he said that the Department now comes under the purview of the Prime Minister's Department.

He added that he had briefed Department's director-general Datuk Seri Rosida Jaafar on the restructuring at a special briefing with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Kuala Lumpur City Hall on Thursday (Dec 22).

Also present were Kuala Lumpur lawmakers.

When contacted, a department source said they were unaware of the matter as there was no official statement on the change.

"We cannot comment right now. Once we get the details, we will let you know,'' said the source.

A check showed that the Department was still using its old name on its social media platforms.

The former Federal Territories ministry has had eight different ministers since it was revived in 2004, with Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim the last to hold the portfolio.

Meanwhile, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said he had urged for the Federal Territory Foundation (YWP) to be dissolved during the meeting with Anwar.

YWP was established in 1986 as the welfare arm of the Federal Territories Ministry, where the chairman of the board of trustees is traditionally the appointed minister.

Lim said other matters brought up during the meeting were related to Kuala Lumpur legislation, local authorities' work flow and residents' welfare.

"I also suggested that Kuala Lumpur's tourism sector be accelerated. With most countries having opened their borders, the city is bound to be a focus for tourists.

"I hope that solutions will be found for the matters raised and new aspirations for KL will be realised," he said.