Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister has just announced his new cabinet lineup. Among the appointments announced today is Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil as the country’s new Digital Communications Minister. He replaces Annuar Musa who took up the Communications and Multimedia Minister role in August 2021.
Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil is Malaysia’s new Digital Communications Minister under the new Unity Government. @fahmi_fadzil https://t.co/amtA2IPCG1 pic.twitter.com/G2NGvbnmgn
— SoyaCincau (@Soya_Cincau) December 2, 2022
Fahmi Fadzil from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is the Lembah Pantai MP since May 2018. The 41-year-old has a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (BSChe) from Purdue University, Indiana, USA. Before joining politics, he was a writer, actor and theatre performer.
As the newly-minted minister, Fahmi will oversee telecommunications and he would look into policies and issues that would affect consumers, businesses and the industry. Some of the ongoing concerns include the current Single Wholesale Network model for 5G which has been scrutinised for not being able to assure affordable and quality 5G services to consumers. Another pressing issue is strengthening the legal and regulatory framework to hold social media platforms accountable for scam ads and misleading content that can cause huge losses to consumers. He will also oversee the ongoing JENDELA programme which is aimed at improving 4G connectivity and fibre access nationwide.
Prior to his appointment, he paid a visit to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to discuss concerns about fake news and extreme content such as the May 13 videos on TikTok. He said as a lawmaker, he believes in a stricter regulatory framework for social media to ensure that the democratic process especially elections are not tainted by materials that can harm the harmony and unity of the community.
MCMC telah menerima kunjungan daripada Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai, Yang Berhormat Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil hari ini di Cyberjaya bagi membincangkan isu penyebaran berita palsu dan kandungan yang melampau yang kian berleluasa di media sosial sejak kebelakangan ini. pic.twitter.com/YXGzoZ9mjz
— MCMC (@MCMC_RASMI) November 30, 2022
The rest of the cabinet lineup includes Anwar Ibrahim as Finance Minister and two Deputy Prime Ministers – Zahidi Hamidi (Regional Development Minister) and Fadillah Yusof (Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister). Rafizi Ramli is appointed as the economy minister while Anthony Loke returns as the new Transport Minister. Tengku Zafrul also returns as the Minister of International Trade and Industry.
Anwar is expected to reveal his list of deputy minister appointments at a later time. His current cabinet lineup consists of 28 ministers which is smaller than 31 ministers under Ismail Sabri’s government and 32 ministers under Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.
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