PUTRAJAYA – The Community Communications Department (J-Kom) may be revamped soon, as Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil seeks to undertake efforts to overhaul the agency.
Noting that he principally agrees with certain suggestions previously put forth by Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi regarding an overhaul of J-Kom, Fahmi said such plans had been in the works for some time now.
The minister also said intentions to revamp the department were initiated prior to recent allegations made by J-Kom Deputy Director-General Datuk Ismail Yusop on Langkah Dubai, a supposed political move to overthrow the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Even before this issue (Langkah Dubai) came around, there were intentions to scrutinise J-Kom’s role,” Fahmi told a press conference at his ministry’s compound, here, today.
“It’s still too early to make any announcements, (but) we acknowledge that some adjustments must be made to align J-Kom’s function with the Madani government.
“I can more or less agree with (Puad’s) viewpoint.”
Last week, Ismail, in a Facebook post, claimed that Langkah Dubai was engineered by Perikatan Nasional figures as well as former two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his right-hand man Tun Daim Zainuddin, who is currently being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
However, Fahmi said today the allegations regarding Langkah Dubai were “not a statement” as they were spread online in the form of WhatsApp messages “attributed” to Ismail.
When questioned on Ismail’s Facebook post and comments published by Berita Harian, Fahmi said: “What’s done is done. Hopefully, there will be no repeat incident.”
“I have spoken to him (Ismail) and since we’re in the process of internally realigning (J-Kom’s) objective and vision… there will be a change in our modus operandi.”
Earlier today, Puad described Ismail’s claims as “shallow” and a cause for tension among government figures after the latter asserted that certain government leaders were also involved in Langkah Dubai.
Puad also called for an overhaul and rebrand of J-Kom, including the incorporation of more competent leaders. – January 3, 2024