The newly established “online ambassadors” team by the Housing and Local Government Ministry will not overlap with other departments, said government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil.

Speaking to reporters today, Fahmi said the 200-person team will likely focus specifically on issues of the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

While admitting that he has yet to receive any briefing on the matter, Fahmi, who is also communications minister, said he will consult Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming as the government wants to streamline information provided to the public.

“Indeed, at this time, we have various channels under the Information Department (under the Communications Ministry), Madani Community under the Information Department and the Community Communications Department (J-Kom).

“I don’t reject this effort, but at the same time, we definitely want consistency in terms of the information provided to the people,” he said when met after attending a Korban Perdana event near Perpustakaan 1 Wilayah @ Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur.

He said this in response to a question on whether the function of the team will overlap with that of J-Kom and Madani Community.

‘Wasteful and unethical’

This comes after Nga announced that his ministry has appointed “online ambassadors” to combat fake news and deliver verified information.

Nga said it is hoped that the “online ambassadors” would help deliver correct information on government policies more effectively.

Zuraida Kamaruddin

The DAP vice-chairperson said the information will be delivered in a way that is easily understood by the public.

Nga has since come under fire, with various quarters questioning the necessity of such appointments.

Free Malaysia Today quoted Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi saying that introducing such ambassadors would lead to overlapping powers and disorganised social media efforts by the government.

Puad, who is also the former director-general of the now-defunct Special Affairs Department, was cited as saying that it would be more effective to strengthen the government’s existing communications machinery.

Former housing and local government minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the appointment of the ambassadors was “wasteful and unethical”.

According to a report by New Straits Times, Zuraida was quoted as advising Nga to focus on handling issues and initiatives related to his ministry instead of “using civil servants” as cybertroopers.

Zuraida, who is also Muafakat Nasional deputy president, claimed that it was an attempt to turn the government machinery into a political tool.

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