KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 13): The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is under the purview of Communications Ministry, according to its minister Fahmi Fadzil, while the custodian ministry of fifth-generation (5G) infrastructure outfit Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) is still undecided.

During a press conference on Wednesday (Dec 13), Fahmi said while the Cabinet has yet to conclude its discussion on the allocation of government agencies, he was able to disclose how the agencies are split between the Communications Ministry and Digital Ministry.

He said agencies that will remain under the Communications Ministry are: MCMC, Bernama, Institute of Broadcasting and Information Tun Abdul Razak (IPPTAR), the Information Department (JaPen), the Broadcasting Department including RTM, National Film Development Corp (Finas), and MyCreative Ventures.

The Community Communications Department (J-KOM) is to be moved from the Prime Minister’s Department to the Communications Ministry.

Agencies to be transferred to the Digital Ministry, headed by Gobind Singh Deo, include Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC), MYNIC, and the Department of Personal Data Protection, according to Fahmi.

“Meanwhile, DNB is still under discussion and will be decided later,” he added.

He noted that a Ministerial Functions Order is expected to be issued in January 2024 once the Cabinet's discussion on agency allocation is completed.

Further agency allocation rationalisation to be done

On Putrajaya’s decision to split the Communications and Digital Ministry into two separate ministries, Fahmi suggested that agencies that will be transferred to the Digital Ministry may include those outside the portfolio held by the old ministry.

He explained that the portfolio was split due to the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030, which emphasises the digital economy as a major economic driver, and a need to make adjustments as government functions under the digital sector fell under various ministries.

“For example, in terms of reporting on the digital sector, the agency is MyDIGITAL Corp under the Ministry of Economy, while startups are under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. There are also several investment aspects under Malaysian Investment Development Authority, which is under Miti (Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry).

“There needs to be an adjustment since NIMP 2030 has emphasised the important role the digital economy will have in the development of our country’s economy, and thus the decision to separate and make digital its own ministry is not only correct but also timely,” Fahmi said.

“With all these agencies to be coordinated by a minister (Gobind) who is fluent in law and understands the importance of regulatory aspects, especially in emerging technologies — not just artificial intelligence, but artificial general intelligence — I believe the digital ministry will be able to coordinate many things better,” he added.

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