PETALING JAYA: The Prime Minister’s Office’s (PMO) new daily briefings on social media will complement the work of the government spokesperson and are not intended to take over his role.
The daily briefings will focus on providing real-time updates on the Prime Minister’s daily activities, directives and responses to current issues, ensuring that government policies are executed effectively, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah.
Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil (pic), meanwhile, will be responsible for communicating broader policy explanations and decisions made in Cabinet meetings.
On Saturday, Tunku Nashrul said the PMO would introduce daily briefings to be broadcast twice daily starting this week.
“The PMO briefing is not a substitute for the government spokesperson’s role but an enhancement to the government’s communication framework,” Tunku Nashrul clarified in a statement on Anwar’s official Facebook page and that of PMO.
He added that the daily briefings would help streamline government communication by keeping the public informed with accurate, direct updates from the Prime Minister, while also countering slander and misinformation.
“With a structured and comprehensive communication, the government ensures that timely and precise information reaches the people while swiftly addressing any misleading narratives,” he said.
On another matter, Tunku Nashrul said Anwar had instructed the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to expedite efforts to restore the supply of local white rice (BPT) in the market.
He added that Anwar has also directed the ministry to provide regular updates to the public on the progress of the BPT supply recovery.
“God willing, the supply recovery is being carried out in phases,” said Tunku Nashrul.
Last Saturday, the ministry said the Integrated Special Task Force on BPT Operations had found that the shortage of BPT supply was due to structural issues related to padi purchase prices, rice production costs and the BPT price ceiling.
It also said the shortage was attributed to the absence of specific provisions prohibiting rice mixing under the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522).
