Mat Taib to do ‘sleepovers’ - The Star

By V. Chandrasekaran

BALING: Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said he would visit villages nationwide once every three weeks in a move to address urgent problems there.

He said he would sleep overnight in the respective village to find out more about the pressing needs of the people.

The new approach, which got the nod from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, kicked off with his first visit to Kampung Kuala Kerik in Sik, Kedah, on Sunday.

He spent a night at the village and took part in a gotong royong the following morning before leaving for a special meeting with 1,938 Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairmen at Dewan Rakan Muda here.

“It is sad to note that some villagers are still living in a deplorable state. They don’t even have proper road and basic amenities while those in the urban areas enjoy good facilities.

“Something must be wrong somewhere. It is high time we help improve their living standards and other facilities urgently,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/28/nation/21083934&sec=nation]