THE decision to split the Communications and Digital Ministry in today’s cabinet reshuffle is to address communication and digital transformation in a proper manner, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Announcing the new cabinet line-up today, Anwar said there were many criticisms levied against the government, and communication aspects via social media had been quite a challenge.

“…the communications to impart and disseminate the information have not been that effective or satisfactory, so there must be a focus,” he said to a question on the reasons to separate the digital and communications portfolios under the reshuffle.

Earlier, Anwar announced the restructuring of the Communications and Digital Ministry, which is split into the Communications Ministry and the Digital Ministry.

Fahmi Fadzil, the current communications and digital minister, is named as communications minister while Damansara MP and former communications and multimedia minister Gobind Singh Deo becomes the digital minister.

The Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Ministry has also been split under the reshuffle into the Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry, and the Natural Resources and Sustainability Ministry.

On digital transformation, which is said to be challenging too, Anwar said there is a need to address the issue as it keeps changing and new interests are emerging.

“With new data centres, and new interest in artificial intelligence (AI), there is a need to enhance the understanding of students at various levels. It’s a very challenging task,” he said. – Bernama, December 12, 2023