Our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is an instant hit on Facebook. I’ve just checked his Facebook - it showed that he had joined the network in the middle of October and to date (November 23 2009) has had 30,000 supporters!

Najib joined Facebook, which enjoys increasing popularity in Malaysia — as another channel to reach out to the people. The Prime Minister’s Facebook page can be viewed at www.facebook.com/najibrazak.  

“As is the case with this blog and my Twitter page, I will be using Facebook to communicate my thoughts and activities to you. In addition to posting status updates, I will be sharing links, Flickr photos, video from YouTube and information on my personal interests such as my favourite dish and pastimes,” he said in his latest posting in his blog.

Najib also urged the people to visit his Facebook and to share their thoughts on how to make the page better.

“Please do visit my Facebook page when you have a moment, and let me have your thoughts on how I can make it better. I look forward to receiving your feedback, and to seeing you there as a fan!” he added.

The prime minister said that encouraged by the amount of followers on his Twitter, he would continuously update his thoughts and whereabout via Twitter.

His postings which mainly related to current issues in the country also invited tremendous comments from viewers. On the information section of Facebook, Najib also put up his personal information and interests including favourite songs and music, movies and favourite quotes.

“My life is very hectic, but I love it. In my spare time I focus on Sunday family lunches, watching TV with my kids and going on holidays”.

He also listed out his late father and second prime minister of Malaysia Allahyarham Tun Abdul Razak as having the greatest influence on him.

“But I admire Sir Winston Churchill’s oratory skills and never-say-die attitude, Nelson Mandela for the sacrifices he made and for never flinching in the face of adversity and JFK,” he added.

Tired of filling up the grant forms but never get the grant money? Well, don’t give up! Discover the tricks of the trade. They key is to understand what THEY want. You can’t expect the government to simply give out the people’s money to you, can you? Here are several tips from the people who have successfully cracked the elusive golden eggs into their bank accounts:

1. Choose projects that benefit the public. In order to get the grant, you must have a viable project that will benefit the public. It’s about giving back to the people. After all, the government is the one who pays you, so they have the right to choose only projects with the best ROI for their investments. The higher the number of beneficiaries involved, the better your chances are in being considered.

2. Determine your target market. Be firm on who are the beneficiaries of your project. The more practical the project is, the more likely they will give you the money. The project might involve, for instance, the orang asli, drug addicts, teenagers, single mothers, etc.

3. Get the Letter of Intent. When you deal with the respected parties that will directly benefit from your project, ask them for the Letter of Intent. Just explain the benefits they will gain from the project, and in return, ask for the Letter of Intent. With that precious letter in hand, you will then have more credibility to convince the government officers to accept your grant application.

*Aidan Tech does NOT guarantee that the above tips will work for you. Any attempt based on the tips shall be at your own risk. Best of luck!

The poor use of English on the National Registration Department (NRD) website has been rectified following public complaints. The department’s public relations officer Janisah Mohd Noor said the mistakes were an oversight.

“We are checking on this and assume that someone has taken the initiative to upload the content without going through the necessary procedures first,” she said.

Earlier this month, a reader forwarded a copy of the atrocious content in English on the website to the media, expressing concern that it would taint the country’s image. Below are the original contents of the said pages. Note, these pages have since been amended by NRD.

http://www.jpn.gov.my/BI/4_5_kadpengenalan.php (edited)

1. I’m 17 year old, when should I change my identity card replacement?
A person whose had got first-time identity card namely during old 12 year, are required change again his identity card when have reached the age 18 year. If this change made within life time 18 - 25 year, no any penalty imposed.

2. I already 25 year old and still not have my own identity card. What shoul I do?
To them not yet own identity card although already aged more 16 year are advised to come to any nearby NRD to apply identity card past record. Applicant and promoter must showed up together to be interviewed, bringing with together following documents.

3. I a foreign citizens and have gotten permit of entry from Jabatan Immigration Malaysia. Whether I qualified to apply identity card? What is conditions for I apply identity card. Read rest of story…

Can’t stand CNN? Don’t want to keep Googling for news? Pop open a browser window and leave a Twitter search for “mumbai” running. People are posting photo links and group-sulking, rather than the usual sort of “if only they had used Twitter more in Mumbai, none of this would have happened” chatter. You can always go to Poynter for that stuff.