The Perikatan Nasional government’s decision to revive JASA, the Special Affairs Department, and allocate RM85.5 million under Budget 2021 has understandably caused a storm of indignation among the public.

That money, as everyone is saying, can be better used to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, especially getting needed equipment for the frontliners. We have all read reports or heard about hospitals facing a shortage of personal protective equipment and masks, the most recent being in Sabah.

The money could also be used to increase manpower as we have heard of doctors and medical staff being overworked during this health crisis. Some of the money could also be better used if channelled to the police force as policemen are working hard on the ground to help combat the disease.

As Mustafa K Anuar, one of the better minds in the nation, said: “At a time when the economy is sluggish, the national coffers are depleting and the government has to borrow money to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and deal with the economic downturn, it is expected that every sen of public funds must be spent prudently and accounted for.”

The money, he argued, could, for example, be better spent providing financial and other assistance to marginalised groups such as the Orang Asli and jobless disabled people, and on improving school facilities.

Mustafa added that if part of the role of JASA was to “publicise government policies and development activities, as well as singing praises of the government”, then the government could simply use the Information Department as well as other official media.

“In an environment where a political pact (which swiftly morphed into a government) was born out of secret deals and transparency appears to be in short supply, it is difficult to be convinced by an argument that JASA’s role is anything but propagandistic.”

Malaysians, of course, remember how JASA was used as a propaganda tool by the Barisan Nasional before the Pakatan Harapan government sent the unit to the waste bin. JASA was accused of spinning tales, and spreading misinformation and disinformation on behalf of BN and especially Umno.

But PN has revived it. Nobody believes it will be used for purposes other than propaganda.

That includes Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi, who headed JASA between March 2015 and April 2018 when it was shut down.

Puad, however, is not against the revival of JASA. He thinks it is a good idea. He is only against the large allocation of RM85.5 million for the agency at a time when more resources should be used to control the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tellingly, he asked: “Will these funds be used to strengthen PPBM’s machinery or sponsor certain political portals, given that social media is likely to be the main tool for campaigning because of new SOPs for elections?”

Puad, of course, knows what JASA was used for and what it can be used for.

While I don’t think this huge allocation is justified, especially not at this time, I would support the existence of JASA if it were to be used to do the following:

• Tell Malaysians the truth that Malaysia is a democracy, not a feudalistic country, and educate them on their rights as citizens;
• Tell Malaysians the truth that politicians are their servants and not the other way around;
• Tell Malaysians the truth that they need not be overly grateful to politicians or the government for helping improve their lives via policies and plans such as infrastructure development because that is what they are elected – and paid – to do
• Tell Malaysians receiving cash aid the truth that the money they are getting does not come from the government but from the tax-paying public, which includes people of all races;
• Tell Malaysians the truth that opposition parties are important in a democracy and that they play a vital check-and-balance role;
• Tell Malaysians the truth that Malaysia is made up of people of many racial and religious backgrounds and that this should be recognised and respected;
• Tell Malaysians the truth that the bedrock of Malaysia’s survival and growth is the unity of all races, not just the unity of one particular race or of one particular religious group;
• Tell Malaysians the truth that neither the Malays nor Islam is under threat in the country because the government and all government-related institutions – including the army and police – are under the control of the Malays;
• Tell Malaysians that everyone should make an honest attempt to understand the customs and practices of their fellow Malaysians, and not just expect others to appreciate theirs;
• Tell Malaysians the importance of working hard to achieve success and not depend on the government for their living or for handouts;
• Tell Malaysians to be the eyes and ears of the auditor-general and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and to inform officials of these institutions if anyone – including JASA officials and politicians – abuses government allocations or facilities;
• Tell Malaysians to check the facts each time they hear that some group or other from another race or religion is working against their interest and not to take the words or actions of one or two individuals as being representative of the whole race;
• Tell all citizens to be wary of negative messages and claims they receive through social media and to verify these before they share them with others;
• Tell Malaysians to carefully weigh the words and promises of politicians, especially those who use race and religion – not plans and policies – to win their support;
• Tell Malaysians to reject anyone –whether politician or not – who is racist or extremist;
• Tell Malaysians how the government is spending public money, giving details; and
• Tell Malaysians to practice the Rukun Negara.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT