Rosmah shocks with 'IF YOU DIE TOMORROW' comments

The Malaysian Insider reports (Monday, 1 September 2014), that Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor had said in her speech, “If they die tomorrow, they have to ask me for forgiveness.”

The report says that our Prime Minister’s wife was addressing an audience at the Second Picoms Convocation at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Datin Seri who was speaking as the head of PERMATA Negara Project is reported to have taken serious issue with certain quarters who have been seemingly being nasty critics of her pet project.

As a spouse of the nation’s number one leader, indeed it is cringing to hear Rosmah say such words – if what is reported is true. What kind of speech is that? Who was the speech writer if any? Did she not vett before spilling the words as they were?

Nobody says such things in a formal function. Worst still on stage and before rolling cameras mind you.

We do not say things like this do we? It is not an Asian culture; neither is it a western culture to talk like that. Forget about the asking for forgiveness part for now and let learned religious leaders deal with it; but you certainly do not tell your critics in public, “if you die tomorrow”.

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Now with such speeches, Rosmah is not making things any easier for our PM either. OMG, why speak like this? Who is the employed speech writer?

Surely there are more polished ways to prove your critics wrong. Surely there are more dignified ways to deliver cutting statements in a speech with a taste of decorum. Why choose to say, “if you die tomorrow”?

The report further quotes Rosmah having said that the audience should not “believe what (they) hear”.

“Never mind the criticism. I am strong. I am sincere.” said Rosmah according to Malaysian Insider.

Again, even a novice speech writer would have advised that these are wrong words to use when addressing an audience. You do not parade your strength with “I am strong” in public and especially if you are the spouse of the premier.

On the contrary, humility, grace and dignity must be the threads that weave a public speech for a person in position like Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor who in many ways must mirror her husband’s portfolio.

How do we deal with this then? Must we live and let live? Or should ‘forgiveness’ be the standard name of the game?

But if Malaysian Insider has mistakenly reported and if these were not the words and content of Rosmah’s speech then decisive action must be taken likewise.  - MAILBAG