Ex-Jasa chief questions ministry’s need for ‘online ambassadors’

Puad Zarkashi said the government already has entities that disseminate information and combat fake news, such as J-Kom and Komuniti Madani, both of which are under the communications ministry. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: A former director-general of the now-defunct special affairs department (Jasa) has questioned the necessity for the housing and local government ministry to appoint “online ambassadors” to disseminate information and combat fake news online.

Puad Zarkashi said the government already has entities with similar functions, such as the community communications department (better known as J-Kom) and Komuniti Madani, both of which are under the communications ministry.

The Umno Supreme Council member added that introducing these “online ambassadors” would lead to overlapping powers and disorganised social media efforts by the government.

“It would be more effective to strengthen the government’s existing communications machinery,” Puad told FMT.

J-Kom, a rebranded version of Jasa, is supposed to be the communications arm of the government and is tasked with conveying Putrajaya’s messages to the people.

The unit moved from the Prime Minister’s Department to the communications ministry last December.

Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil is also the official government spokesman.

Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming announced on Thursday that it had established a 200-man team to act as “online ambassadors” to combat fake news and deliver verified information.

He hoped this effort would help deliver correct information on government policies more effectively.

However, Puad cautioned that an emotionally driven communications approach could harm the government’s image.

“What is of greater concern is the likelihood of the housing and local government ministry’s ‘online ambassadors’ becoming ‘cybertroopers’ to defend the minister or certain individuals,” he said.