KUALA LUMPUR: The RM85.5mil allocation for Jabatan Komunikasi Komuniti (JKom) under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry has been reduced to RM40.5mil.
This means RM45mil less for JKom, which was formerly known as the Special Affairs Department (Jasa), announced Deputy Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri, who tabled a motion to reduce the allocation to RM40.5mil, which will be for the 500 contract staff under JKom.
Prior to the allocation for JKom, there were debates between MPs from both sides of the political divide, with government coalition MPs arguing in support of the controversial government department.
According to Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PN-Pasir Putih), it was necessary to have JKom because the department will ensure that Malaysians understand the government s agenda.