By Mahathir Mohd Rais
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today announced the first cabinet reshuffle since a year of the PH-BN government’s administration.
Anwar stated that this reshuffle is a strategic move to make adjustments to meet current demands and conditions.
The reshuffle includes a change that has attracted much attention, namely the division of the Ministry of Communications and Digital into two separate entities.
Now, the Ministry of Communications will be headed by Fahmi Fadzil, while Gobind Singh Deo will lead the newly established Ministry of Digital.
This move has raised questions among the public, especially regarding the necessity and financial implications of the reshuffle.
Voices are questioning the need to increase management budgets with the establishment of a new digital ministry, particularly in the current challenging economic conditions.
The formation of the Digital Ministry, to be led by Gobind Singh Deo from DAP, has raised questions about the real intentions behind this move.
Many have expressed concerns that this step may be directed to promote a certain agenda, including worries about the covert collection of people’s data and the lack of clarity regarding the functions and objectives of this ministry.
This development is also linked to NVIDIA Corporation’s announcement of a strategic partnership with the Malaysian conglomerate, YTL, to build an AI data center involving an investment of RM20 billion. NVIDIA’s and YTL’s involvement in this project has raised questions about the planning and interests behind the establishment of the new Digital Ministry.
The public is also concerned about the potential additional burdens in terms of upcoming laws and digital policies, and how this will affect their daily lives.
They are questioning the budget to be allocated for the new ministry and its impact on the nation’s economy.
These concerns are compounded by the lack of clear information about the direction and budget during the announcement of the new ministry’s formation, casting doubt on the government’s move in the context of the country’s economic development and the overall interest of the people.
In this situation, the public demands a more in-depth explanation from the government, especially regarding the long-term implications of this cabinet reshuffle and the establishment of the new Digital Ministry.
About the author: Mahathir Mohd Rais, Perikatan Nasional Federal Territories Information Chief. This is an opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of this publication.
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