Fahmi Fadzil reportedly not against KPKT online ambassador team

The newly established online ambassador team by the housing and local government ministry (KPKT) will not overlap with other departments, said communications minister Fahmi Fadzil. 

Speaking to reporters, Fahmi reportedly said the 200-person ambassador team will likely focus on issues specific to KPKT.

Fahmi reportedly added that he has yet to receive any briefing on the matter and will consult with KPKT minister Nga Kor Ming. 

This comes after Nga announced the establishment of a team of online ambassadors consisting of 200 ministry staff earlier on Thursday.

The purpose of the online ambassador team is to fend off defamation and deliver authentic information and government policies effectively.

The minister reportedly said his ministry is not against the effort, according to the New Straits Times. However, a consistency in which information is provided to the public must be assured.

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In this digital era, social media plays a crucial role in communicating information, said Nga in a Facebook statement. Short videos, live broadcasts, and various platforms can be used as a field for coordinating government information so that the people stand firm together to support the Malaysian aspiration of MADANI, he added. 

In addition, the minister encouraged the KPKT online ambassador team members to use creativity in producing interesting content.

Since the announcement, Nga has received negative feedback from various leaders. Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi reportedly said the housing and local government ministry’s approach could harm the government’s image. 

According to Free Malaysia Today, Puad said the government already has entities with similar functions under the communications ministry. He is of the opinion that introducing a team of online ambassadors would lead to overlapping powers and disorganised social media efforts for the government. 

Meanwhile, former KPKT minister Zuraida Kamarrudin reportedly said the appointment of the ambassadors was wasteful and unethical. In a conversation with New Straits Times, Zuraida reportedly said that appointing 200 civil servants to become online ambassadors was an attempt to turn the government machinery into a political tool. 

She reportedly said Nga should focus on his goals more effectively, rather than using civil servants as cybertroopers for his political survival. 

Photo courtesy Fahmi Fadzil, Facebook

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