Salleh: Understand difference between communication and information

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Salleh delivers his speech during the meeting. — Bernama photo

Salleh delivers his speech during the meeting. — Bernama photo

PUTRAJAYA: Staff of the Communications and Multimedia Ministry as well as the departments and agencies under it have been urged to hold to the term ‘communication’ to devise the best approach to engage with the people, said Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.

At a meeting with ministry staff here yesterday, Salleh said there was a difference between the Communications and Multimedia Ministry and its predecessor, the Ministry of Information.

“The Ministry of Information carried the role of explaining issues to the people but communication is a process of engagement through the use of verbal, non-verbal or symbol means,” he said.

Also present at the meeting were Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Jailani Johari, ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad as well as heads of departments and agencies under the ministry.

Salleh, who was appointed to the post on July 28, also shared with the audience his approach and way of administration which included emphasis on the concept of a ‘one-page memo’, which is a brief memo.

“To me, information should be brief and accurate so that decisions can be made quickly and without confusion,” he said.

He said that to ensure decisions were made quickly and without confusion, a meeting must be confined to a maximum of two hours so long as there were no matters arising.

“The meeting must focus on its agenda, and if there are other issues, they can be settled through various mediums such as ‘WhatsApp’ and ‘Messenger’,” he said.

At the event, Salleh expressed his thanks and appreciation to Sharifah Zarah and other senior officers of the departments and agencies for carrying out their duties with excellence.

“I believe an efficient and concerned captain can determine the direction a ship sails. The captain of the KKMM (ministry) ship is the secretary-general.

“I have absolute trust in the leadership of this captain and hope that you as the crew will be with me in supporting the secretary-general as the captain of the ministry,” he said. — Bernama