The separation of the Communications Ministry and Digital Ministry following the Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday (December 12) focuses on the progress of the country’s digital economy sector and has nothing to do with politics, said Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil .
He said the separation of the ministries came about following a discussion session he had with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s team after finding several aspects requiring coordination throughout his time helming the Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD), with the digital economy previously encompassing four ministries.
“Regarding startup and capital venture, it was under the Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry. For upskilling and setting up factories, it was under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in KKD at that time. Investments came under the Investment, Trade, and Industry Ministry, while reporting involved MyDigital Corp under the Economy Ministry.
“So, when discussing with the industry, there were doubts when four ministries handled the same issue. So, I explained to the Prime Minister, why not we gather all the agencies under one specific ministry,” he said.
Meanwhile, he denied allegations the separation of the ministries was to save his political career.
“Some parties accused me of failing to carry out my duty as Communications and Digital Minister, and (the ministry) was divided to save my political career. That is not true.
“If we look at the current distribution of agencies, of the 11 or 12 agencies under the ministry, eight remained with the Communications Ministry, and it is nine if you include one outside agency, including the Community Communications Department (J-KOM). So, the majority is still with the Communications Ministry,” Fahmi said.
In addition, he also supports the views of Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo at the National Digital Economy and 4IR Council meeting on Friday (December 15) of a need to coordinate policies not just through the Council but also in the Digital Ministry itself.
Fahmi also expects the final list for the placement of agencies under both ministries to be finalised by the end of next month.
In addition, Fahmi, who is also the Unity Government spokesman, said steps to separate the ministries are seen as crucial because Malaysia’s digital economy sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to reach 25.5 per cent by 2025.
It was the same with the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRECC), which was separated into two ministries: the Natural Resources and Sustainability Ministry and the Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry, to give focus to certain matters.
“The Prime Minister stressed there is no ‘honeymoon period’ (so we need to) hit the ground running. It means all the ministers must do their jobs, so I see this separation as being able to provide focus,” he said.
Citing the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu) being taken out from the Prime Minister’s Department and made the main agency under the Digital Ministry, Fahmi said this could raise the standard and position of Mampu as an agency which coordinates all digitalisation efforts.
Such efforts reflected the government’s priority and focus on the aspect of digitalisation towards enhancing the country’s economy.
