KUALA LUMPUR: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he will examine and evaluate the functions of the Community Communications Department (J-kom) first before filling in the vacant director-general post.
He said the review of the department is expected to be finalised next month.
"If there is a candidate, I am not yet ready to say who, because we are examining the functions of J-Kom first.
"Give it some time," he said.
On Nov 16 last year, former J-Kom director Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff vacated the post.
Fahmi also rejected Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau's suggestion to shut down the department.
He said there was still a need for the department.
"I think Lau is entitled to his views. If he asks to close J-Kom, I can't tell him to close his mouth, he can express his opinion.
"I see that there are some functions that are needed and that is one of the reasons why we want to coordination and reorganise.
"This is necessary because I see that it has to be a little different from what was worked on before," he told reporters at a press conference after attending the 'Jualan Termurah Demi Rakyat' community sales in Pantai Dalam, here, today.
Lau was reported to have called for J-kom to shut down and save taxpayers money.
He however agreed to reshuffle the department but questioned the positive impact of doing so.