BLOGGER REVEALS THE OTHER SIDE OF MALAYSIAN PM NAJIB

By Rudy Rukimin Rambli

SRI AMAN (Malaysia), April 11 (Bernama) -- When Desmond Jerukan received the
email inviting him to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's tea party
at Sri Perdana in Putrajaya last March 13, he thought somebody was trying to
play a joke on him.

However when the 41-year-old writer of 'Nadai Nama Nama' received a second
e-mail inviting him to the function, he realised that it was not a prank.

"Before the event took place, I was really nervous and didn't know what to
do although the organiser informed me about the dress code. The only thing that
I could do shortly after arriving in Kuala Lumpur from Kuching was to buy a
cheap necktie at Sungei Wang Plaza's Parkson," he told Bernama here.

As he is working in Sri Aman, Desmond had to drive for two hours to reach
Kuching before boarding a one hour and 45 minutes flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Desmond, an administrative officer in the Sri Aman Resident's Office, said
he will remember the trip for the rest of his life as he had never imagined that
one day he would be sitting next to the Prime Minister at a tea party.

ONLINE

To Desmond, the tea party was an enriching experience as the only other
chance for him to see the Prime Minister is during the official functions in
Sarawak.

To be able to meet the Prime Minister in an informal event was a rare moment
for him.

"I find him (Najib) to be really sincere in getting to know his online
friends. For example when his officer called him through his handphone,
Najib's immediate reply was that he was in the midst of an important function
and asked the person to call back later," said Desmond.

Even after the function, the Prime Minister repeatedly told the bodyguards
to allow his online friends to meet and mingle with him.

He said the Prime Minister even commented on the Black Eyed Peas song "I've
Got a Feeling" that was played during the tea party saying that the song set
the right mood.

Desmond said the Prime Minister has his own unique way of breaking the ice.

In his blog, Desmond wrote: "The Prime Minister and his wife
Rosmah Mansor were very casual. His friendliness also caught everyone off guard.
He broke the ice with me by talking about my camera.

"My, My.... you have a serious looking camera there," And so it started with
camera talk and I have to thank my Nikon D5000 for being a saviour."

With that ice-breaking gesture Desmond said the rest was history as he
together with other online friends talked about many issues which the Prime
Minister listened patiently and attentively.

"The only thing that I could not talked about at that point of time was
about Liverpool because I am a big fan of the club but the Prime Minister is
supporting Manchester United," he said in jest.

Desmond who has a degree in Applied Science from University Science of
Malaysia and Corporate Masters in Business Administration (CMBA) from Ohio
University, United States, said the hi-tea marked a new era for the country's
current leadership.

"So far no elected representatives have opened up their line of
communication. The Prime Minister Najib has created his blog,
Facebook, Youtube and a website that has been constantly updated with the latest
information," said Desmond.

As such, the Prime Minister has taken the initiative to be more
accesible to the people by using the latest technology available and at the
same time listening to their grouses.

WALK THE TALK

Desmond said Najib administration has brought a new level in walk the talk
concept when he would try to solve the problem based on the feedback received
from his online medium.

"For example, based on my own experience, through the 1Malaysia blog and
Prime Minister's Department on May 2009, I reported the risks faced by
parents, teachers and students when crossing the suspension bridge at
Nanga Klassen Sri Aman as the cables are in danger of being disconnected from
the bridge," he said.

"Several weeks later villagers at Nanga Klassen told me they saw several 4WD
vehicles from the State Development Office of the Prime Minister's Department
there. We were shown the letter from the Implementation Coordination Unit of the
Prime Minister's Department for the construction of a RM400,000 semi-concrete
bridge at Nanga Klassen," he said.

Desmond said the suspension bridge was the only way to Nanga
Klassem Primary school and although the elected representatives had tried their
very best to
get financial support from the relevant agencies it failed to get any attention
due to bureucratic problems and financial constraints.

"I am monitoring the progress of the project and this proved that the
Prime Minister's website has made it easier and faster to channel development
funds to those who really urgently need it," he said.

He said the Prime Minister has shown the power of the Internet in
disseminating and getting information as well as taking action for the
targetted groups and it should be emulated by other leaders.

On the Najib's walkabout, Desmond calls for more of such walkabouts in
the rural areas as not many villlagers have the opportunity to meet and shake
hands with the Prime Minister.

On the tea party with Najib, Desmond hopes the event would not be the last
as it can be used to as an alternative medium to listen to various problems
from the grassroot level.

"The best thing during the event was the Prime Minister and his online
friends were willing to exchange ideas for the sake of the nation," Desmond
added.

-- BERNAMA



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