Special Affairs Department

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Community Communications Department
Jabatan Komunikasi Komuniti (J-KOM)
Special Affairs Department.jpg
Agency overview
FormedMarch 2000 (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)
Dissolved15 October 2018
TypeDepartment
JurisdictionMinistry of Communications and Multimedia of Malaysia
Websitewww.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), was an agency of the Malaysian previous ruling government under Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia.[1]

It began as Badan Hal Ehwal Khas (BHEK), 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) 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 before it was slowly deviated and turned into political propaganda machinery for BN especially those of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) to attack the opposition.[4]

The JASA's controversial functions were questioned and alleged as inefficient government agency despite having 1046 staffs and huge expenditure of RM74 millions.[5] Its Director General, Puad Zarkashi (2015–2018) was paid RM 20592.00 for monthly salary, much more than the minister salary of RM 14907.20 monthly.[2]

After the 2018 general election that saw the downfall of BN government, on 23 May 2018 new Prime Minister Dr. 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] Dr Mahathir said JASA was dissolved because it was riddled with too many political elements.[7] JASA was completely dissolved on 15 October 2018 with its 300 civil servants absorbed into other departments and ministries, while its mostly political contract staff cut however after Perikatan Nasional taking control of the government during political crisis, JASA was reestablish during 2021 Malaysian budget with rebrand as Community Communications Department (J-KOM) with a minister promised to not used as government propaganda machine [8][9]

References[]

  1. ^ "Jabatan Hal Ehwal Khas (JASA) / Ministry of Communication and Multimedia". Malaysia's Open Data Portal. data.gov.my. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "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) - apaka 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. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.

External links[]


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