PN MP urges govt to disband J-Kom, cites 'failures'

PARLIAMENT | A Perikatan Nasional MP debating allocations for agencies under the Prime Minister's Department has proposed that the government disband the Community Communications Department, better known as J-Kom.

Awang Solahuddin Hashim (PN-Pendang) said the department was seen to have failed in carrying out its designated roles including to nurture a knowledge-based community by strengthening constitutional education, as well as political education among 18-year-old first-time voters.

"What is the mechanism used to gauge J-Kom's functions and how far it has succeeded as a medium to expose youth aged 18 to political education?

"In the past, Pakatan Harapan had called for Jasa (Special Affairs Department) to be abolished for being the government's propaganda (tool).

"Now they set up J-Kom that we can see is used (as a tool) to attack the opposition," said Awang (above) during his committee stage debate on the Supply Bill 2024 today.

The PAS lawmaker said J-Kom director-general Mohammad Agus Yusoff also appeared to have failed in his role and instead bolstered a negative image towards the government.

"I propose that J-Kom be disbanded or cancelled due to failure in carrying out its role.

"I'm worried about what is happening now, is J-Kom truly performing its role and not used as a political propaganda tool, as what was alleged by the former Harapan government against Jasa?" he said.

In his debate, Awang noted an RM200 million increase in the overall budget for the Prime Minister's Office, but a reduction in allocations for J-Kom.

‘Jasa was better’

Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) also touched on J-Kom's programmes that allegedly failed to achieve their targeted impact.

"J-Kom must be cautious in managing the public's perception without trivialising the people's hardships, and they should be the people's voice instead of a medium for political propaganda.

"Many are of the view that Jasa was better at executing programmes at the time. I don't see J-Kom's impact and urge the department to re-evaluate its programmes," she said.

According to the federal expenditures document for the Prime Minister's Department, J'Kom has been allocated RM13,578,000 for next year, down from RM18,692,800 this year.

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