BANGI, July 13 — The infographics showing the current cost of groceries in Malaysia as provided by the Community Communication Department (J-Kom) was accurate but "tone-deaf”, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said today following a public backlash.

The minister added that he will have internal discussions with the department’s director-general Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff to better coordinate other government information that will be released in future to the public.

"J-Kom is actually not under my ministry, but I had contacted the chief over the infographics, and he explained that the numbers and calculations are factually correct.

"The complaints on social media were that it was tone-deaf and I agree.

"I asked them to go through all the figures and language whatever content they want to put out. J-kom assures me that it will be much more coordinated in the future and it will review and focus on certain key areas to improve,” Fahmi told reporters after officiating the first Global Conference of Communication, Culture and Contemporary Media here.

Yesterday, J-Kom released an infographic claiming that a household of four, with a minimum household income of RM1,500, can survive on RM391 worth of groceries a month.

They include two chickens for RM37.60; two 10kg bags of rice (RM38/bag), two bottles of cooking oil for RM13.80, a carton of 30 eggs for RM14, two jumbo loaves of bread for RM8.60 and a cylinder of gas for RM19 per month.