Bernama, J-Kom to come under Communications Ministry, says Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA: The Community Communications Department (J-Kom), which was previously under the Prime Minister's Department, has now been placed under the Communications Ministry, says Fahmi Fadzil.

The Communications Minister, who is also government spokesman, said the decision to place J-Kom under his ministry was decided at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here.

Anwar, when announcing the Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday (Dec 12), said the decision to split the Communications and Digital Ministry into two was to address the transformation in the communications and digital fields in a proper manner.

Fahmi was named as Communications Minister while Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo was made Digital Minister.

Gobind was the communications and multimedia minister during the Pakatan Harapan administration under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Fahmi said besides J-Kom, the Malaysian News Agency (Bernama), Information Department, Broadcasting Department, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute (IPPTAR), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and MyCreative Ventures would come under his ministry.

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He added that the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Malaysia Network Information Centre (MYNIC) and the Personal Data Protection Department will be placed under the Digital Ministry.

"Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) is still under discussion and a decision will be made later," he told a media conference here on Wednesday (Dec 13).

Fahmi said the Communications Ministry would obtain public feedback on all policies and programmes implemented by the government.

"This ministry will strive to prepare a format, either through an app or agency that will be decided later, to help gather the people's comments and views on latest issues, including the government's policies, decisions and programmes.

"This is in line with the Prime Minister's intention moving forward, for the people to be more involved and given a chance to air their opinions in the formulation of policies or implementation of government programmes and activities," he said.

Asked about the appointment of a new J-Kom director-general, Fahmi said time was needed to finalise several matters.

"I have yet to meet J-Kom, so I need to give them time and space to brief me first about further developments," he said.

The post has been vacant since Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff resigned on Nov 15.

Fahmi said the Cabinet meeting also discussed the placement of various agencies in the relevant ministries following the Cabinet reshuffle announced on Tuesday.

"However, it is still not decided yet. I cannot say more until the ministerial functions order is gazetted, which we expect next month," he said.

As for the Digital Ministry, Fahmi said the process for the formation of the ministry is ongoing and it is set to be housed at Menara Usahawan here. – Bernama