Najib’s propaganda units abolished

The Malaysian Insight The Malaysian Insight Updated 7 years ago · Published on 2 Jul 2018 7:00AM · 13 Comments

Former prime minister Najib Razak surrounded himself with an army of advisers and public relations experts. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 2, 2018.

TWO propaganda units from the former Najib Razak administration – National Communication Team and Brandworth Corporation – are among several agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department dissolved yesterday.

The dissolution is part of the PMD’s rationalisation plan that will be announced by Putrajaya today in conjunction with the swearing-in ceremony of the full cabinet. 

A reply from the chief secretary to the PMD on its agreement to the rationalisation plan was sighted by The Malaysian Insight.

The National Communication Team, once led by New Straits Times Press chief executive officer Abdul Jalil Hamid, actively issued statements on behalf of Najib during the peak of the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal. 

Brandworth Corporation was helmed by Ahmad Farid Ridzuan, former CEO of media conglomerate Media Prima Bhd.

Farid joined Najib’s media team in 2010 and backed the former Umno president during the 13th and 14th general elections.

Other agencies to be shelved include Malaysia Innovation Agency, Institut Wasatiyyah Malaysia and Socio-Economic Research Institute (SERI).

All advisers to Najib and ambassadors with a minister’s status, such as former cabinet members Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, S. Samy Vellu, Ong Ka Ting and Rais Yatim, have been relieved of their duties.

Some of these advisers’ offices and agencies have ceased functioning since Pakatan Harapan won on May 9 and took over Putrajaya from Barisan Nasional. 

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on May 23 after PH’s first cabinet meeting that several departments and agencies will be dissolved.

These include the Land Public Transport Commission, National Professors’ Council, Special Affairs Department and Federal Village Development and Security Committee. 

Twenty-six agencies continue to function under the PMD, including four placed under the Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre.

They are the National Integrity and Good Governance Department, Institut Integrity Malaysia, Public Complaints Bureau and Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission. 

A total of 40 departments and agencies have been moved to other ministries.

1Malaysia for Youth will be rebranded and placed under the Youth and Sport Ministry while Al-Hijrah and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) have been moved to the Islamic Development Department Malaysia (Jakim).

Permata, an early childhood education programme spearheaded by the wife of the former prime minister, Rosmah Mansor, has been relocated to the Education Ministry.

Agencies involved in Bumiputera economic development, such as Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputera and Unit Peneraju Agenda Bumiputera (Teraju), were moved to the Economic Affairs Department. – July 2, 2018.

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Comments

  • Many of these agencies are useless to the country but useful to Najib as his defenders and propaganda units. Many others are replicating the functions of existing agencies.

    Posted 7 years ago by Casey Cheah · Reply

    • ............ for retired "sub-standard" MPs and civil servants who otherwise cannot earn an independent income after retirement. Wait and see. PH will soon do the same for their retired "sub-standard" MPs.

      Posted 7 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

    • ...... rakyat should ask how many of our MPs/Aduns can carve out a good career in the private sector ..... many join politics for "skim cepat kaya" ....

      Posted 7 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

    • .... but NOT to serve the rakyat ...... for the good of their selfish selves only ...

      Posted 7 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

    • Most of the BN politicians were a failure in careers who ventured into politics to survive. From the idiotic statements they make, this is so obvious.

      Posted 7 years ago by Raj Manik · Reply

  • " ...... They are the National Integrity and Good Governance Department, Institut Integrity Malaysia, Public Complaints Bureau and Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission...." ....- .... Why can't all depts with "Integrity" in their name be merged into one?

    Posted 7 years ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • PADU needs to be shut down permanently. Claims since 2017 have yet to be processed. They are slow and the real work is done by the various divisions anyways.

    Posted 7 years ago by JK Unrowling · Reply

  • UMNO and PAS must understand their faith is strengthened by building strong moral foundations, not by threatening and suppressing other's beliefs and religions. Only then can Malaysians of different race, creed and beliefs live harmoniously and progress as one nation.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • its mind boggling ! just imagine the big fat salaries for these parasites doing damage against the country .All this to sholve up that thieving ex PM for his ego trip !

    Posted 7 years ago by James Khong · Reply

  • Didn't realise that there were so many humongous organisations just for Malays only!

    Posted 7 years ago by Raks Aksa · Reply

  • Najib's propaganda units abolished BUT Najib's own propaganda has not stopped. Looking at the nonsense that now comes out from Najib's own mouth, these units are nothing surprising..

    Posted 7 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • Well I guess that is more tax payers money well spent!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Richard Chapbell · Reply