KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Political activist Mohd Hisyamuddin Ghazali, better known as Syam Ghaz, has been appointed director-general of the Community Communications Department (J-KOM), with Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirming the appointment at the ministry’s monthly assembly today.

Fahmi also announced that outgoing J-KOM director-general Datuk Ismail Yusop would be taking up a new role at the Prime Minister’s Office, according to Utusan Malaysia.

“I would like to take this opportunity to first thank Datuk Ismail, who has been called to take on a new assignment by the Prime Minister’s Office, and welcome Syam Ghaz, who has been chosen to lead J-KOM,” Fahmi was quoted as saying.

The appointment after Ismail announced the end of his tenure at the department yesterday, saying he would soon assume a new responsibility after more than a year in the role.

Hisyamuddin succeeds Ismail, who was appointed on January 15 last year following the departure of Dr Mohd Khairuddin Othman.

J-KOM has undergone several leadership changes in recent years. Mohd Khairuddin, who is also PKR Selangor secretary, took over as director-general on March 1, 2023, replacing Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusof, before his service was terminated later that year.

The department is responsible for communicating government policies at the grassroots level and strengthening community relations through its programmes and activities.