J-Kom's Dubai revelation raises concerns, overhaul calls mount
SHAH ALAM - The Community Communication Department's (J-Kom) disclosure about a plot to topple the Madani Government, dubbed "Dubai Move," has ignited concerns about straying from its core purpose and triggered calls for an immediate overhaul.
Strategic Communication Division of the Special Affairs Department former director (Jasa) Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said that the original purpose of establishing J-Kom was to serve as a two-way communication medium between the government and the people.
The former Putrajaya Umno deputy chief said that the revelation of "Langkah Dubai" by J-Kom's deputy director-general Datuk Ismail Yusop has left the public confused about the department's function, whether it was a government agency or a political organisation established by the ruling party.
He stressed that the confusion worsened when such an organisation was led by an inexperienced individual with no knowledge of a department with specific functions like J-Kom, formerly known as Jasa.
"J-Kom is a government department that should play a unique role and function differently from the information department in a political party.
"So when J-Kom reveals details about "Langkah Dubai", it clearly shows its lack of relevance to the department's functions.
"This situation causes the public to be confused about J-Kom's role as a government department or a political entity.
"Therefore, I believe there is a need for the government to revamp J-Kom by clearly defining its direction," he told Sinar.
The statement aligned with the call from Jasa director-general and Umno supreme council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi, urging a restructuring of J-Kom following last week's allegations made by Ismail regarding the existence of "Dubai Move."
Puad, who is also the Johor State Legislative Assembly Speaker said that Ismail's claims were shallow and caused the government to be defensive as several names in the government were implicated in the movement.
He added that J-Kom's image has further deteriorated following the controversies involving its former director-general Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff and his assistant Abdul Wahab Abdul Kadir Jilani.
Media reports have indicated that Ismail claimed that the movement to overthrow Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's government in Dubai also involved influential veteran political figures holding the title of "Tun" using foreign funds.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the existence of "Dubai Move" as revealed by J-Kom.
Meanwhile, Ismail, when contacted by Sinar, declined to comment further on the issue but left it to Anwar and the unity government to determine the direction and necessity of whether J-Kom needed restructuring or not.
"I don't have the authority to comment on whether J-Kom needs restructuring or not.
"So, I leave it to the Prime Minister and the government to decide whether J-Kom should be restructured, maintained, dissolved, or not," he said.
