KUALA LUMPUR – A worldview approach based on new, realistic, rational and mature thinking is needed in assessing the role of the Community Communication Department (J-Kom), said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
He said all quarters should develop a new way of thinking about two-way communication between the government and the people, especially at the grassroots level, that is consistent with new interests, challenges and needs.
“I hope we can reset our thinking on J-Kom. I do not mean to say we can settle all our differences on this department but the fact is that J-Kom is not Jasa (Special Affairs Department),” he said when winding up the debate on the 2021 Supply Bill in the Dewan Negara today.
Saifuddin reiterated that J-Kom's main task is to implement the government's communication strategy for the new normal.
In this regard, he said J-Kom's functions will not overlap with agencies under other ministries in terms of target groups, programme approach and activities.
“J-Kom will also take into consideration the space for saving under this allocation in Budget 2021. This is because under the J-Kom structure, it is present in districts throughout the country compared with Jasa, which was previously present in all parliamentary and state assembly constituencies,” he said.
On internet and broadband services, Saifuddin said the RM500 million allocation under Budget 2021 for the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela) is for the provision of fibre optic-based broadband coverage.
He said the use of very small aperture terminal (VSAT) technology did not come within the scope of this project.
“The technology used is fibre-optic infrastructure, which can give high-speed fixed broadband delivery at a minimum of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) until 1 Gigabits according to customer demands,” he added.
Saifuddin also said his ministry always actively disseminates information on government aid for the people through television and radio platforms, namely the Malaysian Broadcasting Department (RTM), Information Department (JaPen) and Bernama, as well as new media channels.
In view of the country’s multiracial and multicultural setting, the information is also conveyed via infographics in the dialects of the local community and ethnic groups, he said. – Bernama, December 22, 2020
