J-Kom comes under 'friendly fire' over diesel subsidy poster

The Community Communications Department (J-Kom) has come under "friendly fire" over its poster justifying the recent diesel subsidy rationalisation.

Perlis PKR chief Amin Ahmad reprimanded the department for painting a "false picture" of the matter.

"This poster paints the wrong picture. The savings are not up to RM60 billion. There are targeted subsidies, right?

"We are not doing away with all subsidies," the former Kangar MP said on X.

The poster, which has since been removed from social media, also claimed that with the money saved, the government can afford to build 110 hospitals, 700 schools and 242,000 affordable housing units.

As of 2.55pm, Amin’s tweet was no longer found.

Repeat offender

Earlier, the post became the subject of ridicule among netizens.

Since the subsidy rationalisation was enforced, diesel now costs RM3.35 per litre.

The move, among others, can prevent diesel smuggling and help the government save up to RM4 billion a year, Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan said.

The subsidy will now be distributed in the form of monthly cash aid to eligible diesel vehicle owners.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time J-Kom has come under fire for disseminating inaccurate information.

In July last year, the department made the headlines for releasing an infographic claiming that a family of four can survive on less than RM400 worth of groceries per month, and a single person would spend just over RM200 per month.

The infographic was amended following widespread backlash and reprimand, including from government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil, who called it "tone deaf", and called for the department to review its modus operandi.

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