Pn Mp Questions Anwar S Silence Over J Kom A W Scandal

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PARLIAMENT | An opposition MP today questioned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's silence over the scandal affecting the Community Communications Department (J-Kom) under the Prime Minister's Department.
Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Bukit Gelugor) pointed out that to this day, the prime minister who had appointed former J-Kom director-general Mohammad Agus Yusoff to the post has not commented on the matter.
"J-Kom has also failed in its role, wherein it faces what we now know as the ‘A&W scandal’.
"If our part-time prime minister cannot play his role or ensure J-Kom play its role, J-Kom should be moved under the Communications and Digital Ministry," he told the Dewan Rakyat while debating the Supply Bill today.
What is the A&W scandal?
The A&W scandal does not refer to the popular fast food chain but is the initials of two J-Kom officers linked to an allegedly lewd viral video clip.
The clip is alleged to be of J-Kom assistant officer Abdul Wahab Kadir Jilani and the department's former director-general Agus, having a purported conversation that was sexual in nature.
This came as police said they had interviewed the individual referred to as "Mr H" in its investigation over the matter.
Wahab last week told a press conference that “Mr H” was the mastermind behind the doctored video which Agus claimed was released in an attempt to frame him.
Former J-Kom DG Mohammad Agus Yusoff (left) and J-Kom officer Abdul Wahab Kadir JilaniAgus, who also denied the veracity of the video, resigned the day before the scandal hit headlines.
RM1b for Komuniti Madani questioned
Wan Saiful also brought up J-Kom’s failure in its role to communicate government policies and called it redundant against the Komuniti Madani programme which is to be launched soon.
He said that such a programme, which involves a government allocation of about RM1 billion, should not be partisan or political.
"My worry is Komuniti Madani will be used as partisan political machinery.
"I seek the ministry's guarantee that Komuniti Madani will not be used for political party interests.
"Let's truly involve the community to make it worth the funds allocated," he added.
He also sought an explanation on why such a sizable sum is needed to implement the programme and urged for a breakdown of the budget.
"I once again urge the government to ensure that they do not use Komuniti Madani as a way to abuse government funds by providing allowances to party leaders at branch or division level," he said.
Puncak Borneo MP Willie MonginWillie Mongin (GPS-Puncak Borneo) also urged the government to ensure Komuniti Madani will not be abused and is used to provide verified information to the people.
He said the programme should involve MPs and assemblypersons from the ruling government.
'How not to appoint heads of agencies'
Meanwhile, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) said a credible person should be appointed to replace Agus, if the government does not want to disband J-Kom.
He added that such a scandal should never happen again.
"That video that went viral is very embarrassing. Even though it is now under police investigation, I would like to state that this should serve as a lesson to all when it comes to appointing heads of government agencies.
"If the video is true, it is truly shameful. If it is not, and it is indeed an internal department conspiracy, then it is even worse," he said during debates. - Mkini

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