KUALA LUMPUR,Nov 25: Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah today said the allocation for the Special Affairs Department (JASA) will be reduced from its original sum of RM85 million, but he did not reveal the amount.
“I guarantee it will be reduced,” he said, following widespread criticism that the sum of RM85 million was unjustified.
In a ministerial reply at the Dewan Rakyat, Saifuddin also said the Cabinet has agreed to restructure JASA, which will now be called the Community Communications Department.
He was replying to Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Puchong), his predecessor, who asked the reason for the revival of JASA, which Gobind described as a “political propaganda department”.
Saifuddin was also asked the reason for the huge allocation when the government has the services of RTM, Bernama and the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) to disseminate information.
Saifuddin said the department is being set up to have “two-way communications between the rakyat and the government”.
“It is for community empowerment,” he said.
