Community Communications Department

Last updated
Community Communications Department
Jabatan Komunikasi Komuniti (J-KOM)
Special Affairs Department.jpg
Agency overview
FormedMarch 2000 (dissolved on 15 October 2018, reestablished on 25 November 2020)
Preceding agencies
  • 1959 – Badan Hal Ehwal Khas (BHEK)
  • 1960 – Cawangan Hal Ehwal Khas (CHEK)
  • 2000 – Jabatan Hal Ehwal Khas (JHEK)
TypeDepartment
State-sponsored Internet propaganda
Jurisdiction Ministry of Communications of Malaysia
Agency executive
Website www.jasa.gov.my

Community Communications Department (Malay : Jabatan Komunikasi Komuniti, Abbr.: J-KOM) (previously called Special Affairs Department (Malay : Jabatan Hal Ehwal Khas, Abbr.: JASA) is a government agency of the Malaysian government, under the purview of the Ministry of Communications. [1]

Contents

Overview

The agency first began as the Badan Hal Ehwal Khas (BHEK) (Special Affairs Agency), a unit under the Ministry of Information established after the 1959 Malayan general election to "maintain and protect the political, religion and government stability". [2] In 1960 BHEK was upgraded and renamed as the Cawangan Hal Ehwal Khas (CHEK) (Special Affairs Branch) under the purview of Jabatan Perkhidmatan Penerangan (Federal Government's Information Services). The government Cabinet meeting in March 2000 approved the formation of a new 'Department of Special Affairs' (Jabatan Hal Ehwal Khas, abbreviated JHEK) to be upgraded from CHEK. [3]

In 2004, its acronym JHEK was changed to JASA. It was formed initially aimed to explain the government initiatives and programmes although critics argued that it was slowly deviated and turned into a political propaganda machinery for Barisan Nasional (BN) especially those of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) to attack the opposition parties and political rivals. [4]

The JASA's controversial functions were questioned and has been alleged as an inefficient government agency, amounting to more than a thousand employees and a huge expenditure of RM74 million. [5] For example, its former Director General from 2015 to 2018, Puad Zarkashi, was paid RM 20,592.00 for his monthly salary, much more than an average minister salary of RM 14,907.20 a month. [2]

Brief dissolution and re-establishment

After the 2018 general election that saw the downfall of Barisan Nasional (BN) government, prime minister Mahathir Mohamad of the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition federal government announced that the JASA was among few government agencies and departments that to be abolished. [2] [6] Mahathir stated that JASA was dissolved because it was riddled with too many political elements; the agency has been attributed to engage in state-sponsored anonymous political commentators and trolls by spreading pro-government propaganda on the internet, colloquially known as "cybertroopers". [7]

JASA was initially completely dissolved on 15 October 2018 with its 300 civil servants absorbed into other departments and ministries. However, after the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition took back control of the government during the 2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis, JASA was re-established in 2020, having been rebranded as the Community Communications Department (J-KOM). A government minister claimed that this time, J-KOM will not be used as a pro-government propaganda machine, without specifying further. [8] [7] BN/UMNO themselves eventually officially took back control as the government under the administration of Ismail Sabri Yaakob, including J-KOM.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barisan Nasional</span> Political party coalition in Malaysia

The National Front, officially Barisan Nasional (BN), is a political coalition of Malaysia that was founded in 1974 as a coalition of centre-right and right-wing political parties to succeed the Alliance Party. It is the third largest political coalition with 30 seats in the Dewan Rakyat after Pakatan Harapan (PH) with 82 seats and Perikatan Nasional (PN) with 74 seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UMNO</span> National political party in Malaysia

The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), officially Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu (PEKEMBAR), is a nationalist right-wing political party in Malaysia. As the oldest national political party within Malaysia, UMNO has been known as Malaysia's "Grand Old Party".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia</span> Second-highest political office in Malaysia

The deputy prime minister of Malaysia is the second-highest political office in Malaysia. There have been 15 officeholders since the office was created in 1957. The first prime minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, started the convention of appointing a deputy prime minister, but some cabinets have opted not to appoint a deputy prime minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangar, Brunei</span> Town of Temburong District, Brunei

Bangar or officially known as Bandar Town, is a town and administrative centre of Temburong District, Brunei, an isolated territorial exclave separated from the rest of the country by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The population of the town proper was 451 in 2021. A number of tiny retail establishments may be found throughout the town, providing everything from clothing to handicrafts to basic needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reformasi (Malaysia)</span> Movement started in 1998 by Anwar Ibrahim

Reformasi is a political movement in Malaysia. It was initiated in September 1998 by Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, after he was sacked from his position by Malaysia's then-Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad. The movement, which began while the country hosted the Commonwealth Games, initially demanded the resignation of Malaysia's then-Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, and for the end of the Barisan Nasional-led (BN) government. It later became a reformist movement demanding social equality and social justice in Malaysia. The movement consisted of civil disobedience, demonstrations, sit-ins, rioting, occupations and online activism.

General elections were held in Malaysia on 20 and 21 October 1990. Voting took place in all 180 parliamentary constituencies of Malaysia, each electing one Member of Parliament to the Dewan Rakyat, the dominant house of Parliament. State elections also took place in 351 state constituencies in 11 states of Malaysia on the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Civics Bureau</span> Former Malaysian government agency

The National Civics Bureau, abbreviated BTN, was an agency of the Malaysian previous ruling government under Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in the Prime Minister's Department. It was established in 1974 as the Youth Research Unit under the Youth Ministry, but was renamed and transferred in 1981. BTN's stated objective is to nurture the spirit of patriotism and commitment to excellence among Malaysians, and train leaders and future leaders to support the nation's development efforts. BTN's programmes are controversial, and many accuse them of explicitly promoting ketuanan Melayu and the former governing coalition Barisan Nasional (BN). On 25 November 2009, the Selangor state government issued a ban prohibiting state civil servants, employees of state subsidiaries, and students at state-owned institutions from attending BTN courses. On 2 December 2009, the Penang state government followed suit and banned all state civil servants from attending the controversial courses.

Mohd Puad Zarkashi is a Malaysian politician who has served as Speaker of the Johor State Legislative Assembly since April 2022 and Member of the Johor State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Rengit since March 2022. He previously served as Deputy Minister of Education in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Najib Razak and former Minister Muhyiddin Yassin from April 2009 to May 2013, Member of Parliament (MP) for Batu Pahat from March 2008 to May 2013, Senator from October 2004 to October 2007 and Director-General of Special Affairs Department (JASA) from March 2015 to his resignation in April 2018. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the ruling BN coalition. He is also Member of the Supreme Council of UMNO. He is generally regarded as a vocal supporter of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former Prime Minister Najib Razak as well as a critic of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and its Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Malaysian Indian Progressive Front</span> Political party in Malaysia

The All Malaysia Indian Progressive Front, abbrev: AMIPF, or better known just as the Indian Progressive Front(IPF), is a Malaysian political party. It is a splinter party of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) formed by its dissident leader M. G. Pandithan in 1990. The party was a component of the defunct opposition coalition, Gagasan Rakyat (GR) from 1990 to 1996, but it currently supports the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition although it is not a component member. IPF had failed in its application to join BN after an objection from MIC. Instead it is being considered just as a 'Friends of BN' party. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said the party has played a positive role in enhancing the image of Barisan Nasional, especially among the Indian community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Minister's Department (Malaysia)</span> Government ministry in Malaysia

The Prime Minister's Department is a federal government ministry in Malaysia. Its objective is "determining the services of all divisions are implemented according to policy, legislation / regulations and current guidelines". It is headed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia followed by other Minister in the Prime Minister's Department. The Department consists of the Prime Minister's Office, the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and more than 50 other government agencies and entities. The Prime Minister's Department was established in July 1957. Its headquarters are in Perdana Putra, Putrajaya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Malaysian general election</span>

General elections were held in Malaysia on Wednesday, 9 May 2018. At stake were all 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of parliament. The 13th Parliament was dissolved by Prime Minister Najib Razak on 7 April 2018. It would have been automatically dissolved on 24 June 2018, five years after the first meeting of the first session of the 13th Parliament of Malaysia on 24 June 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Religious Affairs (Brunei)</span> Bruneian government ministry

The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA or MoRA; Malay: Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama, KHEU) is a cabinet-level ministry in the government of Brunei which is responsible for the propagation of Islam and its upholding as the state religion, as well as oversees the Islamic religious education in the country. It is currently led by a minister and a deputy minister, whereby the incumbents are Badaruddin Othman and Pengiran Mohammad Tashim respectively. The ministry is headquartered in Bandar Seri Begawan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reezal Merican Naina Merican</span> Malaysian politician and banker

Reezal Merican bin Naina Merican is a Malaysian politician and banker who has served as 9th chairman of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) since May 2023 and member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Bertam since August 2023. He served as the minister of housing and local government in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob from August 2021 to the collapse of the BN administration in November 2022, the minister of youth and sports in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin from March 2020 to the collapse of the PN administration in August 2021 and the member of parliament (MP) for Kepala Batas from the retirement of 5th and former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the MP from politics in May 2013 to his electoral defeat in November 2022. He is also a member and division chief of Kepala Batas of the Supreme Council of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the BN coalition and one of the only two Penang BN and UMNO MLAs alongside MLA for Sungai Acheh Rashidi Zinol. He has also served as chief of the Elections Department of UMNO since March 2023. He is an ethnic Malay of mixed Indian descent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahmad Lebai Sudin</span> Malaysian politician

Ahmad bin Lebai Sudin is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Bukit Lada (N9) assemblyman in the Kedah State Legislative Assembly. Ahmad is a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. He holds degree with Honors in Sociology and Anthropology from University Malaya. Immediately after attending UM, Ahmad went to Malaysia National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) and received his Diploma in Public Management. He has been praised for improving the quality of agriculture in Bukit Lada especially during his tenure as Exco Kedah in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysian United Indigenous Party</span> Malaysian political party

The Malaysian United Indigenous Party is a nationalist political party in Malaysia. The party was preceded by the United Indigenous Association of Malaysia and founded by members of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) rebel group Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia. It is a major component of the Perikatan Nasional coalition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Home Affairs (Brunei)</span> Bruneian government ministry

The Ministry of Home Affairs is a cabinet-level ministry in the government of Brunei which is responsible for the country's administrative divisions, municipal areas, immigration, labour, fire and rescue services, prison and rehabilitation institutions, and national disaster management. It was established immediately upon Brunei's independence on 1 January 1984. It is currently led by a minister and the incumbent is Ahmaddin Rahman, who took office since 7 June 2022. The ministry is headquartered in Bandar Seri Begawan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Members of the Dewan Rakyat, 14th Malaysian Parliament</span>

This is a list of the members of the Dewan Rakyat of the 14th Parliament of Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia</span> Malaysian political party

Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia is a nationalist political party in Malaysia. The party was founded and led by Ibrahim Ali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perikatan Nasional</span> Political coalition in Malaysia

The National Alliance, officially Perikatan Nasional (PN), is a Malaysian political coalition consisting of right-wing political parties. Previously known as the Persatuan Perikatan Parti Malaysia. It is the second largest political coalition in Dewan Rakyat with 74 seats after Pakatan Harapan (PH) with 81 seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anwar Ibrahim cabinet</span> Government of Malaysia since 2022

The Anwar Ibrahim cabinet is the current federal cabinet of Malaysia, formed on 3 December 2022, nine days after Anwar Ibrahim took office as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia. The composition of the cabinet was announced by Anwar a day earlier on 2 December 2022, consisting of most of the political coalitions and parties represented in the 15th Parliament. It was the 23rd cabinet of Malaysia formed since independence. Although Perikatan Nasional (PN) was also invited to join the government, it decided to decline the invitation and instead formed the opposition. The government is often referred to as "unity government".

References

  1. ↑ "Jabatan Hal Ehwal Khas (JASA) / Ministry of Communication and Multimedia". Malaysia's Open Data Portal. data.gov.my. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 "4 Agensi Dibubarkan Kerajaan Bawah Pimpinan Tun Mahathir. Apa Fungsi Mereka Sebelum Ni?". CILISOS (in Malay). 23 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "JABATAN HAL EHWAL KHAS (JASA) – Apakah tugas hakiki pegawainya? Dari mana asalnya?". YANG GAMBI (in Malay). yanggambi.blogspot.com/. 13 May 2009. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  4. ↑ "PERKHIDMATAN AWAM: APA TUGAS 272 KAKITANGAN JASA? ADAKAH LANTIKAN KONTRAK DIISI OLEH AHLI UMNO?". Rafizi Ramli (in Malay). 16 February 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  5. ↑ Tan Hong Pin (1 April 2015). "Penubuhan JASA hanya membazir wang dan menyalahgunakan kuasa". SETIAUSAHA KEBANGSAAN DAPSY & ADUN MENGKIBOL (in Malay). Democratic Action Party (DAP). Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  6. ↑ "Dr M: SPAD, Pemandu, Jasa and MPN among agencies to be abolished". The Star . 23 May 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  7. 1 2 Mohd Husni Mohd Noor (20 September 2018). "300 civil servants from Jasa to be absorbed into other departments, ministries, contract staff to be axed". New Straits Times . Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "Saifuddin: Jasa to be rebranded as J-Kom, won't function as govt propaganda machine". Malaymail. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2021.

Further reading

See also

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.