The ministry is to review how government policies and programmes are communicated to people, Fahmi says

IPOH: Ministry of Communications to review how government policies and programmes are communicated to citizens to ensure better understanding.

Minister Fahmi Fadzil said they would review their plans and make necessary changes.

“We may need to change the way we spread information.

“The people of a given area can receive this information, but whether they understand it or the opposition’s counter-arguments, we need to manage it more granularly,” he told a news conference after the opening of the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Kampung Dato Ahmad Said Tambahan 2 on Monday (July 8).

“I will take into account the opinions of all parties and our machines,” he added.

Fahmi was asked if the Pakatan Harapan Party’s defeat by the Perikatan Nasional Party in the Sungai Bakap by-election in Penang was due to people rejecting some government policies.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said Perikatan’s victory in the by-election was a result of people rejecting the rationalisation of diesel subsidies introduced by the national unity government.

Perikatan candidate Abidin Ismail defeated Dr Joohari Ariffin of Pakatan with 4,267 votes, a larger majority than that of the previous assemblyman, the late Nor Zamri Latiff.

Abidin received 14,489 votes and Joohari 10,222 votes.

Fahmi said they would investigate all factors behind the failure in an analysis that is still ongoing.

“If we say that (the failure) was due to one or more policies, then we will take a closer look at it.

“We will learn from this what the prime minister mentioned and what the people said in their votes,” he said, adding that Pakatan, PKR and the unity government will hold a detailed discussion.

“We are aware that the election date in Sungai Bakap fell less than a month after the announcement of the rationalisation of diesel subsidy.

“Some applications for Madani assistance or fleet card are still pending,” he added.