Rosmah has right to have high profile, says Mahathir

The prime minister's wife, Rosmah Mansor, has the right to have as high a profile as she likes, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former premier was asked whether he thinks that Rosmah's profile has become too high compared to that of the wives of previous  prime ministers.

"There is no standard format to fill if you become the wife of the prime minister. You can be as prominent as you like," he said after an event at the Malaysian Petroleum Club in Kuala Lumpur today.

He also said Rosmah has the right to rebut allegations against her via her biography, for which a pre-launch event was held yesterday.

The book is said to"honestly answer"issues and defamatory allegations linked to her.

“I think if you keep on making accusations against her and she replies, you say ‘Well, why do you reply, it’s too high profile?’ Is she supposed to keep quiet and not reply?” Mahathir said, noting that it all boils down to the people's views on Rosmah.

Pressed for his views on her, Mahathir said he has already answered the question.

“I have already answered your question; she has every right to answer. You make her high profile by making all kinds of accusations, so she now has to make corrections,” he added.