Rosmah continues to dismiss the concerns of the Malaysian public, she is in danger of being likened to Imelda Marcos, or even, Marie Antoinette.The First Lady, Rosmah Mansor brushed off negative comments about her overseas visits and justified them because she was the prime minister's wife and 'her trips were at the invitation of the governments or women ministers of the countries involved'.
She said, "So, let them say whatever they want to say, but I feel that this visit is very beneficial not only to us but to all Malaysians regardless of race, religion or even what party they belong to."
"I'm not here to represent certain sections of the people but we're here to represent Malaysians."
Rosmah pointed out that she and her delegation from the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), had been well-received in Oman.
If Rosmah continues to dismiss the concerns of the Malaysian public, she is in danger of being likened to Imelda Marcos, or even, Marie Antoinette.
Rosmah, who came from a humble background, is now known as the power behind Najib's throne and her love of money and opulent homes.
High Commission and airline staff have revealed, on condition of anonymity, her frequent forays to exclusive shops and her massive cargo shipments, when she returns with her husband from overseas.
Rosmah's official residence, Seri Perdana is undergoing a RM65 million facelift. Her visit to the USA was heralded by a centre-fold spread in the New York Times, which was estimated to cost about USD 5 million.
Most people are appalled at the staggering amounts spent on these vanity projects. Several schools or mobile clinics could have benefited from these monies, as could the hardcore poor.
Perhaps Rosmah should be more sensitive to the rakyat who struggle to pay ever increasing toll charges, fuel and food costs.
If she continues with her contempt of the Malaysian public, much of the anger on the streets may soon be directed at her husband, the prime minister Najib Tun Razak.
No help for Penan women
On a recent trip to Saudi Arabia, Rosmah said that she addressed an international conference on total quality management (TQM) in education.
She said, "I was informed in Riyadh that I hadn't been invited just because I'm the wife of a prime-minister. They had apparently done their homework, research to see what I've contributed to children's education, especially those below four years old as well as gifted children."
No one disputes her interest in children's education; however, people do wonder why her organisation, Permata, received RM150 million within a week of Najib becoming PM, and why other organisations are excluded from the 'fast-track'? Why is Permata exempted from regulation?
Rosmah said, "And I'm very happy that even in Saudi Arabia, they've now recognised the fact that it's very important to give attention to early childhood education and care and also gifted children."
If the welfare of children is of such importance to her, why has she not responded to the requests, from the Penan Support Group (a coalition of 36 NGOs), for the building of pre-schools in the Sarawak interior, for the Penan children?
Not all children are gifted. What support has she given to children with learning difficulties? Special schools, teachers and financial assistance for these children, are not readily available.
Rosmah swept aside criticisms about her: "To me, if they want to complain, I've got no issues. Let it be. I'm only doing this as a leader's wife. It's my duty and responsibility to help any way I can, especially with regards to women empowerment and children's issues."
Sadly, being the PM's wife, does not entitle Rosmah to abuse the system or be prejudicial about apportioning help.
Rosmah has done nothing to help the Penan women who were raped.
She has done nothing to address the high levels of incest among the Malay villagers.
She has done nothing to prevent old men from marrying girls as young as 11, who can do so with the approval of the state religious authorities.
Perhaps, these pressing issues are not glamorous?
Wedding or Arabian visit?
Rosmah also said, "I'm not involved in politics, I'm not involved with the policies of the government — that's being taken care of by the cabinet, the prime minister, deputy prime minister. We're only putting in our effort and time and interest in children and the less privileged, so what's the problem."
Despite her denials about meddling in politics, Rosmah was heard, during the Hulu Selangor by-election, last April, to promise people a Permata centre, if BN should win.
When Najib was stricken with chicken pox, Rosmah sidelined the Deputy PM. She received the Australian Premier Julia Gillard and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in his stead, when they arrived for on official visit. Why?
Perhaps, Rosmah is unaware that Malaysians feel cheated with the liberties she has taken with the taxpayer's money.
She is unaccountable to the Malaysian parliament unlike elected representatives of the Malaysian parliament, although they seem to ride rough shod over any accounting procedures.
Many questions arise from her latest trip to the middle-east and Bangladesh.
How many people were in her delegation? What were their official capacities? Who decided who should accompany her? Who picked up the tab? Did anyone accompanying her pay their own way? What gifts did she give the respective heads of state? Have members of her delegation declared their gifts to the tax authorities? What was her itinerary?
Rosmah started her three-day visit to Saudi Arabia on Jan 8. Then she flew home to prepare herself for Taib Mahmud's wedding reception. The day after, she resumed her mid-east trip and spent four-days in Oman. Lastly, on Jan 19, she flew to Bangladesh for three-days.
Was it necessary for her and her delegation to go back and forth and waste resources?
She should have decided which is more important – the wedding or the Arabian visit?
It appears that Rosmah's foreign trips and intrusions into politics are given carte-blanche by Najib.
If the 'First Couple' continue to disregard the peoples' rumblings, they are in danger of alienating themselves from the electorate.
Najib may have said: "We (BN) are not power crazy, but want power so that the people will be the priority".
The rakyat thinks otherwise. -
FMT
Mariam Mokhtar is a petroleum chemist and also an environmental pollution-control scientist.
Tambahnya, rakyat tidak mendengar pula komen mereka mengenai projek Menara Warisan 100 tingkat yang bernilai RM5 bilion, peruntukan kepada projek Permata sebanyak RM111 juta, pada hal ia bukan sebuah kementerian, tarafnya seperti belia 4B Rembau sahaja.
