‘First Lady’ salutation based on convention: Nazri

(The Star) –  KUALA LUMPUR: The salutation of the First Lady of Malaysia is a non-official title that is not based on any provisions in the law but on practices and convention, Parliament was told Monday.

In this context, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the title is in reference to Prime Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, which was an “old practice” in international politics.

“For example, in the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth is not referred to as the First Lady because she is called as Queen. First Lady is a salutation for the wife to the Chief Executive, the Prime Minister.

“The same is practised by Japan,” he said in his answer to Datuk Johari Abdul (PKR – Sungai Petani), who asked if the term “First Lady” referred to Rosmah or the Raja Pemaisuri Agong.

“With this explanation, the is no need for anymore confusion in the aspect of the usage of this salutation,” Nazri said.

He also said there was no special allocation to pay for the official activities of Rosmah.