J-Kom under Comms Ministry now

PUTRAJAYA: The Community Communications Department (J-Kom), which has been under a cloud for several weeks, has now been placed under the Communications Ministry.It was previously under the Prime Minister’s Department.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the decision to place J-Kom under his ministry was made at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday.

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J-Kom has been without a director-general since Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff resigned on Nov 15.

Asked about the appointment of a new director-general, Fahmi asked all parties to give him time to finalise several matters before the appointment is made.

“I have yet to meet J-Kom, so I need to give them time and space to brief me first about further developments,” Fahmi told Bernama.

Anwar, in his Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, had split the Communications and Digital Ministry – then also led by Fahmi – to address communication and digital transformation in a “proper manner”.

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Fahmi was named Communications Minister, while Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo – a former communications and multimedia minister – was made Digital Minister.

Fahmi said the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute, Infor–mation Department, Broadcasting Department, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and MyCreative Ventures would be under his ministry.

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, Mynic Bhd and the Personal Data Protection Department will be moved to the Digital Ministry.

“A decision on Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) will be made later,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

He said his ministry would seek feedback from the public on all policies and programmes.

“The ministry will strive to prepare a format to gather the people’s comments, get their views on the latest issues, including the government’s policies, decisions or programmes.

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“This is in line with the prime minister’s intention to get more people involved and given a chance to air their opinions in the formulation of policies and programmes,” he said.

As for the Digital Ministry, Fahmi said it was set to be housed at Menara Usahawan here.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Fahmi said that the new Unity Government Cabinet led by Anwar is better in terms of numbers, experience and ability to develop the nation’s economy.

He also stated that the reshuffled Cabinet line-up is much better than the Cabinet of the previous government.

“For those disappointed, my advice is not to hide your disappointment; come to the negotiating table. We will decide on some things and live in harmony and peace,” he said.

Fahmi said Anwar wanted the Cabinet ministers to work hard to solve the people’s problems.

“With the example of technocrats, several members of Parliament have served in the Cabinet, so there is a positive sign of acceptance among the people and the grassroots and perhaps among the corporate sector.”

He said the Prime Minister said people wanted to see changes, and as such, new ministers need to move quickly and that there is no honeymoon period.