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PETALING JAYA: The allocation for the Department of Special Affairs (Jasa) in the 2021 Budget will be used to turn it into an agency focused on uniting the country and galvanizing the effort to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, says the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia.
He said yesterday that Jasa would no longer be politically motivated, adding that he would instead engage Malaysians of all races and religions to better develop the nation.
He said he was well aware of the concerns expressed after the announcement that Jasa was allocated RM 85.5 thousand, due to the government agency deviating from its initial goals.
The ministry said it had been given the responsibility of leading Jasa’s restructuring into an agency to disseminate information in an organized, strategic and community-targeted manner.
“This responsibility becomes more important as the country faces the Covid-19 pandemic. Fake news that can affect national harmony is a great challenge in a plural society like ours.
“Jasa, as a government agency, is based in Rukun Negara. We have the role of creating unity through truthful and verified information for people.
“It is in this context that Jasa is changing its name,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.
Established in 1959 as Badan Hal Ehwal Khas, it underwent several transformations before being renamed Jasa in 2004.
The agency was dissolved by the Pakatan Harapan government after GE14.
Many, including those in the opposition, had criticized the 2021 budget allocation to revive Jasa, who was largely seen as a political propaganda machine.
In July, Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, said that Jasa would be revived to help workers laid off after the department was dissolved.
The ministry said Jasa would host qualified officials and staff members who would be trained in social and digital communications to disseminate vital information to educate and enlighten people on the new regulations.
“It is very important that this is done as soon as possible, as these efforts will also further boost the patriotic spirit, in line with the theme of the Resilients Budget 2021 as one, together we succeed,” he said.
The ministry further said that the assignment to Jasa was for the incorporation of more personnel in all states and districts across the country.
“This assignment is also to activate personnel in the remote and interior areas. Jasa will hold engagement sessions with civil society and local community stakeholders to gain constructive feedback on our nation-building effort.
“All expenses will be audited under the financial mechanisms of the government. The allocation to Jasa will be spent in the best possible way to carry out the functions and role of the agency effectively, ”the ministry said.
In addition, he said the allocation would also help revitalize the economy in terms of those who provide support services to the agency.
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