Sweet revenge: Rosmah tells "jealous" critics to fly kites over Curtin PhD

At last, Malaysia's First Lady Rosmah Mansor got to poke her critics back. After being the butt of countless media attacks for her lavish spending sprees and arrogant ways, Rosmah finally got to tell her "frustrated and jealous" critics to fly kites if they did not approve of her receiving an honorary doctorate from Australia's Curtin University.

"Are you questioning Curtin University or are you questioning me? Curtin University decided to give it to me. You question them, not me," she told reporters who couldn't figure out why the the institute would want to bestow such an honor on her.

"Maybe jealousy"

When asked why she thought the award had attracted public scorn, her answer was a masterpiece of delicate balance and ironic control.

Indeed, it must have given her immense satisfaction to finally belt her critics for all their past bombardment. At the same, she managed to convey in her answer the goodness of her own self.

“I don’t want to handle personal petty issues. It is all out of frustration. It is all out of... I don’t know... Maybe jealousy,” Rosmah was reported as saying while looking visibly upset.

“I don’t know ... the criteria. I don’t know. It came to me as a very pleasant surprise. But I was told by the vice-chancellor that they were looking for a woman who has leadership qualities, does charity and social work and also a programme that is beneficial to the country. They are looking for a candidate and they said that my name cropped up. They read about all the work things I have done for Malaysia, the speeches I’ve given in other countries and they decided that I am the deserving one. I am extremely honoured.”

Oscar, Oscar

Indeed, for her Oscar winning performance, her husband Prime Minister Najib Razak would have done better to pay her the RM84million he was charged by disgraced UK consultant FBC Media for farming out falsely flattering news about himself -  a breach of ethics for which the British firm was caught and is being probed by industry regulators for.

Last but not least, Rosmah urged her critics to behave more constructively for the betterment of the country and to help the less fortunate.

Ahh, life must taste sweet for the 60-year-old FLOM or First Lady of Malaysia.

But her critics are not about to let her off without a final shot.

"We hope that this will motivate her into breaking her addiction for shopping, diamond rings, Birkin bags and become a more responsible citizen contributing more positively to Malaysia and the world. Rosmah should bear in mind, blessed are those who give and so far, sad to say, she has been on the taking side non-stop including an Aussie PhD now," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle tongue in cheek.

Malaysia Chronicle