Deputy minister tells J-KOM chief to avoid offensive language, urges restraint on 3R issues

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — All parties, including the director-general of the Community Communications Department (JKOM), Mohd Hisyamuddin Ghazali, should avoid using inappropriate language when issuing statements, the Communications Ministry said.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching also urged all parties to steer clear of remarks touching on race, religion and royalty (3R) issues at all times, Harian Metro reported today.

“I think he has only just been appointed, but my advice is to avoid using inappropriate language and to avoid 3R issues not only during campaigns but at all times,” she told reporters after delivering the keynote address at the programme Balancing Virality and Responsibility: Journalism Amid Speed, Trust and Impact — An Industry Dialogue here today.

She said such an approach was necessary and strongly encouraged.

Nie Ching was responding to criticism against Hisyamuddin, also known as Syam Ghaz, particularly over the language used in his public statements following his appointment.

She also said she had not yet met the J-KOM chief, and was unsure whether Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil had done so.

“I haven’t met him. I’m not sure whether Datuk Fahmi, the communications minister, has met him or not, as it was the weekend. I spent the weekend in Johor, so I have not met him,” she said.

Syam Ghaz, who was appointed on June 8, has faced criticism after a social media post on Saturday that was described by some as racist.

He has denied making racist remarks against the Chinese community, saying the phrase “Cina sesat” was directed at two individuals and had been misinterpreted.

In a video recording last night, Syam Ghaz said the Facebook post was meant as a response to former BN strategic communications director Eric See-To and whistleblower Albert Tei.

He said the post clearly named Lim Sian See and Albert Tei, and was not directed at any other parties.

Previously, it was reported that Syam Ghaz replaced Datuk Ismail Yusop, who ended his service earlier this month after more than a year leading the department.