A BERSATU leader has suggested that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) be restructured and placed under the purview of the Digital Ministry.
Member of Parliament for Indera Mahkota (PN-Bersatu), Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said this is because it was unreasonable for the Digital Ministry to be given the mandate to manage all national digital matters but has no mandate over 'the basic building block', which is the digital infrastructure.
"Digital infrastructure is 'the basic building block' for the country's digitisation efforts. It is also the main pillar of the country's digital economy and digital relations with regional neighbours, especially in Asean.
"At the same time, the government needs to review MCMC's organisational structure. It has three main roles which are regulating the digital infrastructure, planning digital infrastructure needs for the future (next generation infrastructure), and regulating online content (social media).
"Two of the three are not currently under the Digital Ministry. So, it is not appropriate for the MCMC to be under the Ministry of Communications," he said in the Budget 2025 debate in the Dewan Rakyat.
Saifuddin said the Digital Ministry should lead every aspect of the digital ecosystem so that it can be maintained holistically and sustainably.
He said this is important to ensure that Malaysia can build and nurture a world-class digital ecosystem, and benefit the people.
In his Cabinet reshuffle last December, Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision to split the Communications and Digital Ministry was to address communication and digital transformation adequately.
Fahmi Fadzil was named as Communications Minister while Damansara Member of Parliament and former Communication and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo as the Digital Minister. - October 23, 2024
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