NNN PORTAL LAUNCHES ARABIC SERVICE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The NAM News Network (NNN) portal today
launched the Arabic language news portal, which provides the latest news from
the non-aligned movement (NAM).

Secretary-General of the Ministry of Information Communication and Culture
Kamaruddin Siaraf said the launching of the portal could become a main
source of reference for the NAM member countries, especially the Arab community
in the Middle-East and members of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)
countries.

"Our news value is more oriented towards our views as a Muslim. And with the
NNN portal, there is now an alternative to get the latest news besides those
from the CNN, Reuters, AFP and so on.

"We hope the international community or consumers of international news
comprising non-aligned countries would visit the NNN portal to obtain the latest
and accurate information on their countries," he said after launching the portal
at Wisma Bernama, here Thursday.

The Arabic language NNN portal, which was developed since June, showed a
positive development by registering 1,500 page looks and 400 repeat visitors
each month.

Kamaruddin said various continuous efforts would be carried out to
develop
the NNN portal besides adding the number of languages for the portal.

"The Arabic language NNN portal is the third language medium used.
Previously, we had launched the portal in English and Spanish languages," he
said.

The NNN portal carries news according to the various segments, such as
general news, sports, economic news, tourism, health, culture, environment and
features besides the photo gallery.

Others present at the launching ceremony were the ministry's Deputy
Secretary-General Dr Rothiah Omar, Bernama General Manager Hasnul Hassan
and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Bernama's Foreign/International Service Ahmad
Zukiman Mohamed Zain.

-- BERNAMA