Nothing unusual about J-Kom DG's dismissal: Fahmi

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has refused to divulge why Community Communications Department (J-Kom) director-general Khairuddin Othman was dismissed only six months into his tenure.

Fahmi confirmed the matter and said that it was a common matter in terms of contractual positions within civil service.

“Appointments and terminations are common occurrences, and they are guided by the process I mentioned earlier. It is a regulated process.

“At this time, his duties will be temporarily taken over. It’s uncertain when a replacement will be found as there’s a process involved,” he told a press conference at the Communications Ministry in Putrajaya.

Khairuddin yesterday told Utusan Malaysia of his termination but did not provide specifics. He said the media should direct its questions to the Communications Ministry.

The former two-term Paya Jaras assemblyperson and Selangor PKR secretary took over as J-Kom head in March, replacing Mohammad Agus Yusoff, who resigned after a controversial video surfaced. 

Agus claimed the video was fake and he was set up but J-Kom replaced him anyway.

Formerly known as Jasa, J-Kom has faced criticism for its handling of online attacks against the government related to race, religion, and royalty (3R) issues. 

It was believed that the department had been ineffective in protecting the government from the attacks.

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