Putrajaya cuts RM45m from Budget 2021 allocations for controversial Jasa unit

Kuala Lumpur: Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri tabled a motion today to halve the allocations for the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) under Budget 2021.

Jasa, a Barisan Nasional-era propaganda unit that was disbanded under Pakatan Harapan, is being revived by the Perikatan Nasional government with a previously proposed allocation of over RM80 million.

After the proposal became a lightning rod for criticism, the PN government rebranded the unit as the Community Communications Department (J-Kom).

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Lawmakers approved Abdul Rahim’s motion today via a voice vote.