Malaysia's next first lady expresses shock over smears

by Lazylizards | March 15, 2009 at 03:55 am

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If Malaysia's first lady-in-waiting wants to look for a role model, she may have a tough act to follow. This March 31, her husband Najib Tun Razak takes over as the sixth prime minister of Malaysia after Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hands over the reins of power.

Rosmah Mansor had been in the news, but sometimes for the wrong reasons. She has been unfavorably compared, perhaps unfairly, to the current first lady Jeanne Abdullah, and former first lady, Dr. Siti Hasmah Ali. Both had endeared themselves to the Malaysian public. Siti is arguably a role model to many young Malaysian women, even though her husband, former prime minister Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, was often seen overly brash.

If political smears shock Rosmah as the AFP interview indicates, come March 31, she may continue to be shocked as the political scene in Malaysia changes.

I wish Rosmah all the best in discharging her duties.

"... as far as I'm concerned, I'm not affected by all this because I know they will do anything to stop my husband from being (leader), and they chose the wrong way."

Najib was last year forced to deny having an affair with 28-year-old Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, who was murdered in 2006. Her remains were blown up with military-grade explosives in a jungle clearing.

"If they cannot get my husband, they get me, if they cannot get me they even go to the children... they will resort to anything at all," she said.

"But it doesn't matter, it makes us much wiser, it makes us much stronger, closer as a family, and more mature."

"What's important is your conscience, that when you wake up in the morning and you look in the mirror, are you able to look at yourself and love yourself, and ask yourself whether you've done the right thing."

The new first lady, who has a reputation for being formidable and outspoken and is a subject of fascination for many Malaysians, portrayed her relationship with her husband as close and affectionate.