Monday, April 21, 2008

Muhammad joins the rank of bloggers - NST

PUTRAJAYA, Mon: April 21, 2008 by Hamidah Atan

Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib is now a blogger. His blog - www.muhammadmuhdtaib.com - will enable him to listen to grouses and issues raised by members of the public, politicians, even his ministry staff and officers.

The Regional and Rural Development Minister and Umno information chief said he set up the blog, with the help of a few friends four days ago.

"I want to be easily accessible and reachable. They can condemn, criticise, praise, suggest, you just name it. I am open to all this. Let us be frank with one another. The people has voiced their concerns and dissatisfaction via the March 8 general election. I hope to be the postman for my ministry as well as the federal government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi."

He was speaking at an excellent service awards for 346 ministry staff at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre yesterday.

Muhammad said through the blog, he could express himself and "say whatever I want to say."

"I want to be able to communicate with the people. Send your messages or dissatisfactions to me and all will be looked into."

Muhammad said blogging had become a trend these days. "If you cannot fight them (bloggers), join them."

He also said past leaders, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had done the nation, proud. "They had been very successful in developing physical infrastructures, the Petronas Twin Towers, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and others. Now is the time for Pak Lah (Abdullah) to focus on human capital development."

Muhammad said Abdullah wanted more "towering personalities" to be produced not only from urban but also rural areas.

"Engineers, architects and other professionals who have made it good in their respective professions must not forget their roots and return to their respective villages to develop the areas."

Muhammad also said his ministry would strive to assist the government to eradicate poverty by the time the country achieved the developed nation status by 2020.

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