KUALA LUMPUR: The government today clarified that the Community Communications Department (J-KOM) was taken out of the Communications and Multimedia Ministry when Perikatan Nasional (PN) was in power.
Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said that the cabinet made the decision on May 19, 2021, during the tenure of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, to place J-KOM under the Prime Minister's Department (JPM).
At the time the Communications Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, she said.
"I think it would be better to ask both of them (Muhyiddin and Saifuddin) to explain," she said in her winding up speech of the ministry's 2024 Supply Bill (2024 Budget) committee level debate today.
He said the agency's ability to enlighten the public was deemed less effective after it was placed under JPM.
Wan Saiful said it even caused some controversy involving its top leadership.