KUALA LUMPUR: The Community Communications Department (JKOM) must undergo a major overhaul to ensure government policies are effectively communicated to the grassroots, an MP told the Dewan Rakyat.

Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) said JKOM's current outreach strategy, particularly through social media, was failing to reach Malaysians despite its mandate to counter misinformation and promote government initiatives.

He said he had been informed that JKOM planned to "optimise" its social-media presence through its director-general's official Instagram, TikTok and podcast channels.

However, Khoo said his own checks raised concerns.

"I was excited, so I looked for JKOM's podcast because we want to use the DG's podcast to spread positive narratives about the government's policies and initiatives.

"But what I found was that each episode had fewer than 50 viewers," he said in the Lower House on Monday (Nov 24).

Khoo said such low engagement rendered JKOM ineffective in its mission, warning that government messages were simply not reaching the public.

"If this continues, our policies will not reach the grassroots.

"People out there are not receiving accurate information from the right sources.

"As a result, false news and misleading facts continue to spread," he said.

Citing the ongoing Sabah state election, Khoo said JKOM had failed to highlight key federal initiatives that directly benefit Sabahans, including subsidised airline tickets offered to students returning home.

"These are important initiatives, yet Sabahans seem unaware of them. This shows JKOM is not performing its role effectively," he said.

Khoo urged the ministry to undertake a comprehensive restructuring of JKOM, stressing that a more robust and modern communication strategy was crucial to ensure the government's messages penetrate all layers of society.

"JKOM must do better. I hope a meaningful overhaul is carried out so that government information reaches the rakyat clearly and quickly," he added.