KUALA LUMPUR: The budget allocation for the controversial Special Affairs Department, commonly known as JASA, will be slashed by more than half from the original RM85.5 million.
Deputy Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Bakri tabled a motion to reduce the allocation to RM40.5 million. It was approved.
He said the allocation is for 500 contract staff of JASA, which has been rebranded as the Community Communications Department.
“The department is to strengthen the digital community and to encourage community empowerment,” Rahim said at the start of the debate on the 2021 budget for the communications and multimedia ministry, which the department comes under, in the Dewan Rakyat.
Earlier, Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PAS-Pasir Puteh) said JASA was important in a multiracial society.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) then asked the benefits of JASA as even Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor did not seem to respect the sensitivities of other races.
Sanusi came under attack for his remarks following the demolition of a Hindu temple in Kuala Kedah.
Zawawi said the topic could be better discussed outside the hall.
Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) then suggested for JASA’s money to be channelled to tackle the Covid-19 crisis instead.
Zawawi told Ramkarpal that the allocation was needed as the government’s “agenda is big”.
Rayer then asked the purpose of Rukun Tetangga.
Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun immediately stepped in to remind the MPs that this was a debating session and not an “argument” session.
Khalid Samad (PH-Shah Alam) said the previous Pakatan Harapan government had scrapped JASA as even some Umno members had said it was a political tool.
He said RTM and other machineries had been allocated millions of ringgit under the 2021 budget and they could carry out JASA’s tasks.
“JASA is only to whitewash whatever the current government does,” said Khalid.
Mohamad Sabu (PH-Kota Raja) trained his guns on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, saying he was being held “hostage” and was “under siege” and not respected even by his “own governing coalition”.