‘J-Kom needs an overhaul’

Embrace the Madani concept: Fahmi chairing the press conference with his deputy Teo Nie Ching. — LOW BOON TAT/THE STAR

PUTRAJAYA: A revamp of the Community Communications Department (J-Kom) is needed to bring it in line with the government’s objectives, says Fahmi Fadzil.

“It is still too early for me to make any announcements regarding this matter.

“But there is a need to streamline the functions and duties of J-Kom to bring it in line with the aspirations of the Madani government.

“In fact, even before this issue (Dubai Move) was raised, I was already looking into the matter.

“This means that I somewhat agree with the views expressed,” the Communications Minister told reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting here yesterday.

Fahmi was asked if he agreed with the comment by former director-general of the Special Affairs Department (Jasa), Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, that J-Kom needs an overhaul.

Jasa was the precursor of J-Kom before the rebranding of the body whose tasks are to disseminate messages and policies of the government to the people.

Previously under the Prime Minister’s Department, J-Kom was placed under the Communications Ministry on Dec 15 following the Cabinet reshuffle.

Puad, who is also an Umno supreme council member, said the recent claims by J-Kom deputy director Datuk Ismail Yusop has put the government in a defensive mode due to the alleged involvement of certain government figures in the purported bid to bring down Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.

Fahmi also said a review of J-Kom’s functions could prevent it from getting embroiled in future controversies.

Last Saturday, Ismail acknowledged that there was a so-called Dubai Move orchestrated by opposition leaders and several government backbenchers to topple the unity government led by Anwar.

The plot was allegedly being executed in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the existence of the move, which he described as a “waste of time”.

Meanwhile, asked if disciplinary action would be taken against Ismail, Fahmi said he had already spoken to him on the matter.

“I understand that it’s not an official statement but a message spread in a WhatsApp group. So several things need to be reorganised to ensure that such issues do not recur in the future,” he said.