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KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today approved a motion to reduce the allocation for the expansion of the Department of Special Affairs (Jasa) by RM 45 million, from RM 81.5 million as originally provided in the 2021 budget.
Dewan Rakyat President Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun announced that the motion was approved by a majority vote after being debated by six MPs, three from the government and the opposition bloc.
The motion was proposed by Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Abd Rahim Bakri prior to the start of the committee-level debate of the 2021 Supply Bill for the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM).
He submitted the proposal with an amendment for an allocation of RM164,151,656,800 to RM164,106,656,800 in Clause 2 of the 2021 Supply Bill.
“This amendment arises from the reduction of the amount allocated for the expansion of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Jasa by 45 million ringgit,” he said.
Abdul Rahim said that Jasa, now known as the Department of Community Communications (J-Kom), has a different role, as it is to build a digital ecosystem community, thus accelerating the migration to the digital world.
He said J-Kom also aims to improve digital achievements for those who already have the skills, boost local talents, as well as implement smart grassroots community programs and instill cyber security awareness.
He said that the goal that had been set for the department was based on the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara as the main impetus for the development of the community, especially at the grassroots level.
“Particularly in the community that practices digital culture and skills and appreciates the meaning and focus of patriotism through the use of a community empowerment approach. In a real sense, J-Kom’s role is to build and strengthen the digital ecosystem community, ”he said.
Previously, Khalid Abdul Samad (PH-Shah Alam) and Chang Lih Kang (PH-Tanjung Malim) questioned the reinstatement of the department in addition to the allocation announced in the 2021 Budget that was deemed too large when the country was facing Covid-19 . pandemic.
Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat rejected the motion proposed by five opposition MPs to remove the allocation of 81.5 million ringgit for the expansion of Jasa and another 4 million ringgit for the department.
The motion was moved by Maria Chin Abdullah (PH-Petaling Jaya); Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (UPKO-Tuaran); Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil (PH-Pantai Valley); Fuziah Salleh (PH-Kuantan); and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (Independent-Jerlun).
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, closing the debate on the motion, said that all parties should readjust their thinking regarding the department.
“This is not Jasa. This J-Kom. For J-Kom we must have a realistic, rational and mature vision, as well as when we face differences of opinion between us ”, he said.
“(J-Kom) is for us to develop new thoughts on the importance and real needs of the country’s digital policy,” he said. – Called
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