KUALA LUMPUR – The RM81 million allocation to revive the Special Affairs Unit (Jasa) is needed to ensure the government has adequate technology and equipment to address the people’s woes, said Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan.
In a Facebook post, he said the technology needed for effective communication in the era of social media “does not come cheap”.
He said this does not include the costs to tackle fake news being spread by certain quarters, and the RM4 million in emoluments is “not even a big amount”.
The proposed allocation is significantly higher than the RM17 million that the propaganda arm received under the Barisan Nasional administration in 2017. The unit was disbanded the following year after Pakatan Harapan won the general election.
Wan Saiful said the issue of Jasa’s revival, which has received brickbats online, has been drummed up by the opposition to shift the people’s attention from Budget 2021.
“The fact is that Budget 2021 is one that cares about the people and aims to help those from all walks of life. But so much focus is deliberately on distorting Jasa, as not many other issues can be played up.”
He said Perikatan Nasional cannot be like the Pakatan Harapan administration, “which did not listen to the grievances of the majority”.
“PH failed to understand that the people want assistance in cost of living, business and employment opportunities, and other incentives for a better life.”
He said Jasa’s role will change according to the times, and that Putrajaya’s intention to revive the unit is to ensure it listens to and understands the people’s plight, while allowing them to get “accurate” information from the government.
“It is not propaganda like before. That era is over,” he said, adding that if Jasa had appointed qualified and capable individuals, the people would agree to its revival. – The Vibes, November 8, 2020
