'THOROUGHLY MODERN' ROSMAH draws flak from Muslim leader: It's undignified to abuse power

KUALA LUMPUR - ROSMAH Mansor, the unpopular wife of Prime Minister Najib Razak, has earned the wrath of Malaysia's largest Islamic party for tarnishing the country's "dignity".

To PAS vice president Mahfuz Omar, it was most unseemly for Rosmah, a 62-year-old who considers herself a 'modern' Muslim woman, to traipse around the world on the people's expense and under the guise of performing official duties, for which she was not authorized to do.

"When the US president Barack Obama could not come to Malaysia, he sent his representative here. He did not send his wife here, did he?" Mahfuz told a press conference at the Parliament lobby on Wednesday.

"This is a Cabinet that has no dignity (tidak bermaruah)."

Nothing to do with her being a woman, everything to do with abuse of power

Mahfuz, who is also the Pokok Sena Member of Parliament, made it clear he was not upset because of the conservative views his party often holds, especially towards women.

This was not about Rosmah being a 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' of sorts for spurning the 'tudung' (veil for Muslim women or hijab) or because she was female.

Mahfuz took offense because to him it is abuse of power to allow Rosmah to represent Malaysia at official events . Rosmah had recently attended a three-day forum in Qatar and the trip had raised a public uproar.

According to Mahfuz, this was the same as allowing an unauthorized and perhaps even unqualified person to "interfere in the administration" of the country.

Not to mention, it was not fair to sideline government officials who have been trained to tap the benefits of such forums for the nation's development.

Worse still, there has been red-hot speculation that the Qatar forum was just "an excuse" for Rosmah to stop over at Dubai - the playground and shopping haven for the fabulously wealthy and powerful.

Huge entourage of cronies?

Indeed, instead of going on a commercial flight, Rosmah raised suspicion when she flew on the government's private jet, which are reserved for the King or top officials.

Her critics wonder if she had taken along with her a large coterie of cronies and friends for an extended shopping spree. Hence, the government jet to transport them and their shopping home.

The Najibs have often been criticized for abusing the perks of their office, despite their huge personal wealth.

Rosmah, in particular, has been said to put former Philippines First Lady Imelda Marcos to shame when it comes to profligacy and love for luxury goods.

The people must realize they have to pick up the tab for Rosmah and Najib

Mahfuz, a member of the Malaysian Opposition, has vowed to keep up the heat on the Najibs as their "reckless" spending would eat a hole in the national coffers if left unchecked.

During the current sitting of Malaysia's Lower House, Najib was slammed for spending RM7.2 billion on hiring pricey foreign consultants, instead of being prudent and hiring locals as much as was possible so as to keep costs on a leash.

Malaysia's national debt is at 53% of Gross Domestic Product, very close to the 55% ceiling set by Parliament, and is also running a record fiscal deficit.

But going by Rosmah's Qatar trip, there does not seem to be any real commitment from Najib, who is also Finance Minister, to tighten the belt - at least not in the areas which could affect his personal comfort.

Najib is however determined to launch a 6% GST tax on the people so as to boost revenues and help the government pay off its huge debt.

Malaysia Chronicle