Why harp on Rosmah’s absence, not Najib’s presence?

Zam suggests the PM and important ministers refrain from vacationing in December but go to Europe in the autumn instead.

PETALING JAYA: In a rare show of support for Prime Minister Najib Razak, former Utusan Malaysia editor Zainuddin Maidin criticised online media for harping on the absence of his wife Rosmah Mansor, saying they should concentrate instead on Najib’s presence in flood hit areas.

In his latest blog entry, Zam, as he is popularly known, asked, “Isn’t the motive to continue to erode Najib’s popularity?”

Pointing out that many were quick to publicise Rosmah’s “excesses” in the past, he wondered if they had now concluded that her presence by Najib’s side would help his image.

He also said that despite all the attention focussed on the wrong person, online media could not erase the look of deep concern and sadness that Najib wore when visiting people in flood relief centres.

“The look of sympathy, graveness and sadness in facing the suffering of the thousands of flood victims cannot be overshadowed by the absence of his wife Rosmah.

“Forget Rosmah, and appreciate Datuk Seri Najib,” Zam pleaded.

He also said there were lessons to be learnt from the tragedy, mainly that cooperation between political leaders from both sides of the political divide was necessary for the welfare of the people.

“It is hoped this disaster will be a lesson to both sides – leaders in both the federal and state governments must start cooperating in the interests of the people, not politics.”

He also said it was about time the prime minister and ministers in charge of the people’s welfare stopped vacationing during the December monsoon season that routinely brought with it disasters big and small.

But he said it would be acceptable for ministers who held “unimportant” portfolios to holiday abroad during the Christmas season.

“Unimportant ministers can vacation in December, especially the (Culture and) Tourism Minister, but the PM, Defence Minister and Home Minister should vacation after the budget presentation because Europe is still beautiful in autumn.”