COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY TO STRENGTHEN GOVERNMENT MESSAGING – FAHMI

CYBERJAYA, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Communications will continue efforts to strengthen communication to ensure information related to government policies, programmes and assistance is conveyed clearly, accurately and in a manner that is easily understood by the public.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that for this purpose, the coordination of the government communication machinery had also been enhanced, involving information officers, public relations officers (PRO) and Corporate Communications Units (UKK) across all ministries and agencies.

“Sometimes, if we have a product or service but the target group is not aware of its existence, that is where the communication problem arises,” he told Bernama and RTM after delivering an address to staff of the Department of Information (JAPEN) here today.

Fahmi, who is also the MADANI Government spokesman, said clarity in information dissemination was particularly important for targeted programmes, including initiatives by the Ministry of Finance such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), MySalam and schooling assistance.

For this purpose as well, he said the use of simple, approachable language that was suited to the local context was crucial.

“My instruction to them (in JAPEN) is that the language used must be grounded in reality. In Perlis, for example, the delivery may require different sentences and approaches.

“The same applies to the Chinese community, the Indian community and certain ethnic groups — the language used must be accurate and appropriate, not merely official language or ‘Putrajaya language’,” he said.

Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, in his address, stressed that government communication needed to be enhanced so that all implemented initiatives were fully understood by the people.

In another development, Fahmi also expressed hope that the Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting and Information Institute (IPPTAR) could be activated as a strategic training centre to produce key government communicators who were able to convey information more effectively and respond to current needs.

“This is especially for JAPEN officers, PROs and UKKs so that issues previously raised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (regarding government communication issues) can be managed swiftly and comprehensively. This is what I am working towards,” he said.

Earlier in his address, Fahmi said a study found that youths aged between 18 and 35 had been identified as the largest group consuming information through social media such as Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp.

“This group not only makes up almost half of the voters, but is also the main user of products and services produced domestically.

“In this regard, the government and the information machinery are reminded to be better prepared and not to rely on old approaches or merely reshare content,” he said.

In addition, he said the use of the WhatsApp audio feature was also suggested as an effective method, particularly to facilitate the delivery of messages to communities that were less inclined to read.

-- BERNAMA