Datuk Ismail Yusop ends tenure as J-KOM director-general; Syam Ghaz appointed successor

Datuk Ismail Yusop ended his tenure as director-general of the Department of Community Communications (J-KOM) on June 7, 2026, after serving for more than a year in the role ^{[1, 2, 3, 4]}. He was appointed on January 15, 2025, succeeding Dr Mohd Khairuddin Othman, who served from March 1, 2023, until his service was terminated in September 2023 ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]}.

Ismail delivered a final address to J-KOM staff via Google Meet on June 5, 2026. He said, “Today is my last day serving as the director general of J-KOM. Insya-Allah, I will carry out a new responsibility at a new place for religion, race and country with the same spirit and determination” ^{[1, 2, 7, 8, 9]}.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that Ismail has been reassigned to a new role at the Prime Minister’s Office. Fahmi welcomed the new leadership as he announced the appointment of Mohd Hisyamuddin Ghazali, also known as Syam Ghaz, as the new J-KOM director-general effective June 7, 2026 ^{[7, 8, 9, 6, 10, 11]}. Fahmi said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Datuk Ismail, who has been called up for a new assignment by the Prime Minister’s Office, and to welcome Syam Ghaz, who has been selected to lead the Communications Unit” ^[7].

Syam Ghaz is a political activist and formerly served at the Home Ministry. He is known for his involvement with PAS and PKR political parties ^{[8, 9, 10, 11]}. The Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, added, “May he continue to excel in carrying out the trust placed in him to strengthen effective government communication that earns the confidence of the people” ^[11].

J-KOM is responsible for communicating government policies at the community level and promoting inter-ethnic relations across Malaysia through its various programs and activities ^{[1, 3, 4, 5, 6]}.

The appointment of Syam Ghaz took effect on June 7, 2026, coinciding with Ismail’s departure. Fahmi Fadzil publicly announced Syam’s appointment the following day during the ministry’s monthly assembly ^{[7, 8, 9, 6, 10]}.