J-Kom will strengthen ministry’s efforts to promote govt initiatives, combat misinformation, says Teo

KUCHING: The inclusion of the Department of Community Communications (J-Kom) under the Communications Ministry will further strengthen its efforts to promote government initiatives and combat misinformation.

Communications Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said good initiatives like the Madani Medical Scheme should be promoted more so that the rakyat can benefit from it.

"(Under the scheme) we have provided over a million free treatments for minor ailments to patients and this is a good success story, but I believe there are still people out there who don’t know about the initiative.

"We would also like to help other ministries to promote all their good programs and initiatives so that more and more people will be aware and benefit from it,” she told reporters after attending a meet-up session with the ministry’s heads of departments in Sarawak, here on Monday (Dec 18).

On Dec 13, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said J-Kom, which was previously under the Prime Minister's Department, has now been placed under the Communications Ministry.

Teo said efficient and effective communication is important not just to spread good new initiatives but also crucial in responding to certain issues.

She said the government needs to give clarifications on misleading statements or information effectively and should not allow certain issues to go on unattended for days.

"At the same time, we must use our agencies like JaPen, RTM and Bernama to spread the clarifications effectively so that the issues will be addressed,” she added. - Bernama