MPs must work at all times, says Abdullah
February 13, 2006
The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional MPs must work at all times to implement development projects, and not only when the media covers events in their constituencies, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. 

The Prime Minister said if MPs worked only when the media was around, they would not be successful in bringing development to their areas. 

“Working when only reporters are around is not satisfactory. They must work at all times,” he told reporters after the launch of Sentul Park Koi Centre here yesterday.  

“There is no need to stand in front of television cameras for their pictures to be taken.” 

He said he was continuously monitoring what was being done by the MPs to fulfil the promises stipulated in the Barisan manifesto for the 2004 general election. 

“They have been MPs for less than three years. There are many things in the manifesto that will take time to implement.  

The Implementation and Coordination Unit in the Prime Minister’s Department, Abdullah said, provided him reports on the progress in parliamentary and state constituencies. 

He said he also received reports on the progress of projects during development meetings so that action could be taken to revive certain abandoned projects. 

On MPs who were unhappy when criticised by the media, he said the media should not sensationalise issues and use elements of cynicism that could cause unhappiness among certain leaders. 

“Just do straight reporting. The MPs will get the message,” he said.  

Asked to comment on reports that Malaysian engineer Zaini Zakaria was among three men trained by Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network to crash a plane into the 310m US Bank Tower in Los Angeles, Abdullah said a man is currently being detained under the Internal Security Act. 

“There is no need for me to confirm or elaborate, but he has been arrested under the ISA.”  

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/2/13/nation/13376689&sec=nation