KANGAR: The transfer of the Community Communications Department (J-Kom) back to the Communications Ministry is part of a coordination plan aimed at strengthening the department's core functions.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the department's role was currently under review, particularly in terms of its organisational structure and staffing.

"One of the areas of coordination being undertaken involves staffing and organisation, and at the same time, we are planning to physically relocate the J-Kom office back to the ministry.

"Additionally, the department's functions will also be reviewed," he told reporters after launching the Kita Madani Programme in Perlis.

J-Kom was previously placed under the Prime Minister's Department during the Perikatan Nasional administration.

The decision to transfer the department back under Fahmi's ministry was announced in December.

Fahmi added that the ministry has yet to discuss the appointment of the department's new director-general following the removal of Dr Mohd Khairuddin Othman.

"The role of the director-general is currently being carried out by the deputy director-general (Datuk Ismail Yusop).

"At this point, we are not moving towards appointing a new director-general and I have requested the ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, to review the department's structure for further alignment," he said.

Fahmi, however, did not specify a timeline for the appointment of a new director-general.

Previously, Fahmi confirmed Khairuddin's removal, stating that the process had followed standard procedures.

Khairuddin was appointed as J-Kom director-general in March following the resignation of Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff in November.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/10/1115648/fahmi-j-kom-role-staffing-being-reviewed