First Lady she’s not!
If indeed the cost of the advertisement was RM10mil, as alleged, then that’s how much it cost to put the PM’s wife at par with the Raja Permaisuri Agong.
Shah A Dadameah, Malaysian Mirror
It is currently the hottest buzz on the net.
A full-colour advertisement appeared in The New York Times on April 16 to welcome Rosmah Mansor, wife of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, to the Big Apple.
The cost of the advertisement, allegedly paid for by a company linked to Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, is said to be a whopping RM10mil!
Part of the advertisement carries a half-body portrait of Rosmah while another section carries pictures of her at different events and surrounded by mainly young Malaysians.
The main copy of the advertisement reads:
“Welcome to New York.
“Her Excellency, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor
“First Lady of Malaysia.”
The other part reads:
“Congratulations.
“On being conferred the International Peace and Harmony Award 2010”
At the base of the advertisement was the following citation:
“In recognition of your effort to promote peace, harmony and understanding among the people of Malaysia and your courageous acts in making a difference to the lives of people and children around the world.
“Malaysia is proud of you.
“Best wishes from family and friends in USA and Malaysia.”
Highlighting Rosmah’s charitable efforts
The advertisement appeared on the day Rosmah was presented the International Peace and Harmony Award from the US-based Business Council for International Understanding in New York City.
She received the award from former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger at an event emceed by Academy Award-winning actor, Jamie Fox with performances by singing sensation Leona Lewis and the Boys Choir of Harlem.
The Award was intended to highlight Rosmah’s extensive charitable efforts and to celebrate the important links between Malaysia and the United States.
In media reports in New York, she was repeatedly referred to as the ‘First Lady’, a term that Americans use for the wife of their President, the highest office-bearer in the country.
However, the Americans are ignorant about the protocol in Malaysia’s monarchy system where the term is appropriate only for the Raja Permaisuri Agong.
The Prime Minister is not the ‘supreme head’ of the country and PM Najib Abdul Razak and all his predecessors had never been known to compel others to take their wives as ‘First Lady.’
The media, the politicians and public relations practioners often make the mistake.
Let’s take a glimpse of the Federal Constitution on this. Article 32 says:
1 (1) There shall be a Supreme Head of the Federation, to be called the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who shall take precedence over all persons in the Federation and shall not be liable to any proceedings whatsoever in any court.
2 (2) The Consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (to be called the Raja Permaisuri Agong) shall take precedence next after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong over all other persons in the Federation.
If indeed the cost of the advertisement was RM10mil, as alleged, then that’s how much it cost to put the PM’s wife at par with the Raja Permaisuri Agong.
Receiving the Award in New York might make her ‘queen’ of many people’s hearts, but that still does not qualify her to be ‘First Lady’.
Apologise to the Queen
Rosmah, who is currently, spearheading the development of a gifted and talented programme, named Permata Pintar, for children with special abilities in the fields of academia and music, is also involved in various other charitable causes in Malaysia.
Among them are the Welfare Association of Ministers’ Wives (BAKTI), Girl Guides Association. Hope Foundation, Malaysian Nature Society,Society of the Orthopedically Handicapped Malaysia, Malaysia Aids Council, Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the Thalasemia Association.
Notwithstanding her achievements in these fields, she has yet to attain the status of ‘Her Excellency’ or ‘First Lady’.
A blogger wrote that Rosmah and Najib have to personally apologise to the Yang Di Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong for the advertisement boo-boo.
“We also want the de facto Law Minister to explain publicly who is the First Lady of Malaysia and what is the punishment if anybody, including the Prime Minister’s wife, used in it illegally knowingly.”
Another commentator also suggested that the New York Times come out with an apology for the insult on Malaysians by calling the PM’s wife ‘First Lady.’
Spending RM10mil might give some mileage to the ‘family and friends’ who up the advertisement, but it will certainly not go down well with Sarawakians who are preparing to go for state polls at any time.
