Communications and Multimedia Minister Mohd Salleh Said Keruak said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is going to require a strong and able team to help him navigate Malaysia through the next three years of global turmoil and hoped to be able to contribute to that effort.

"This is so that we can emerge from 2020 a much stronger nation than many perceive we will be," he said.

Writing in his blog http://sskeruak.blogspot.com/, the former Sabah chief minister said he will definitely perform his duties to the best of his abilities as what will be expected of him.

He also said that he will continue blogging despite his new appointment as a senator and Cabinet member.

"I will put aside some time to continue to express my views and opinions as I have been doing so for a while now.

"However, as a minister, I have to be cautious of what constitutes personal views and what is the official government line and policy," he said.

Najib, in a cabinet reshuffle yesterday, had named Mohd Salleh as Communications and Multimedia Minister.

He took over from Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who was given the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry portfolio.

Mohd Salleh also resigned as speaker of the Sabah State Assembly to take up the federal ministerial post.

He is also Sabah UMNO deputy chief and United Sabah Bumiputera Organisation president.