Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Splits
Following a major Cabinet reshuffle in December, the Malaysian Ministry of Communications and Digital (KKD) has split into two separate ministries. The split is meant to enable the Government of Malaysia to foster greater digital economic growth and more effectively disseminate government communications and information.
KKD Minister Fahmi Fadzil was appointed to be the Minister of Communications. The Ministry of Communications will oversee the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Malaysian National News (Bernama), Malaysian Information Department (Japen), Community Communications Department (J-KOM), Broadcasting Department, Tun Abdul Rzark Broadcasting and Information Institute (IPPTAR), National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), and MyCreative Ventures.
The Ministry of Digital will be tasked with spurring Malaysia’s digital transformation, with Prime Minister Anwar previously highlighting the importance of data centers, artificial intelligence (AI), and human capital. Damsara MP Gobind Singh Deo, the former Minister of Communications and Multimedia under former Prime Minister Mahathir’s Pakatan Harapan-led government, was appointed to be the Minister of Digital. The Ministry of Digital will oversee CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM), Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Department of Personal Data Protection (JPDP), and MYNIC Bhd.