Rosmah denies role in PM’s decisions

Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor is relaxed during the interview with Hello Malaysia at Wisma Bernama last night. - Bernama pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 — Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor last night dismissed the notion that she is a hidden hand behind her husband, Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s decision-making process as prime minister.

The prime minister’s wife has been a frequent target of government critics and the opposition who allege she has undue influence on the nearly year-old Najib Administration.

“I have not heard about it, but it is not something that I am sensitive of as it is not true. Maybe I am a bit vocal or gregarious... I like to have friends unlike Datuk Najib, who is a bit reserved.

“But it does not mean that since Datuk Najib is a reserved person, I am making the decisions... I am the type, who will voice out my dissatisfaction, but once said, it is done. I do not harbour feelings,” she said in an interview on Hello Malaysia over BernamaTV at Wisma Bernama here Friday night.

Rosmah said although Najib is a man of not many words, he should not be underestimated.

“I always tell others not to underestimate Datuk Najib, he is not easily angered but do not provoke him. If he is angry, there is no forgiveness for you.

“Datuk does not say much but he registered what is happening around him. If I made a mistake, he will reprimand me. If he stomp his feet, it will shudder me.

“What is important we are close to each other where we can talk things over, we laugh and share jokes as it is important that a leader should not be so stressed out.

“So when he comes home, we watch tv together, we go out to dinner together. In short, we are best friends,” she said.

Rosmah said as a wife, she would look after her husband’s needs such as food, clothes and health.

“When he is at home, I will not go out unless I have prior engagements. I will also ensure that Datuk Najib stay fit by doing exercise at the gym.

“I will ensure that he is not worried by haggling over petty maters as he should focus his thoughts on the people and the country,” she added.

Rosmah has been active on her own accord to push for pre-school education for children and has been promoting the Permata programme which has received RM200 million from the government.

The opposition and fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin have tried to link Najib and Rosmah to the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shariibuu in October 2006 but both have denied it.

Najib joined politics after his father, second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, died in 1976 and was named the country’s sixth prime minister last April 3.

He took office promising to unify the people and revive the economy on the slogan of 1Malaysia. People First, Performance Now; but a dispute over the term ‘Allah’ being used by a Catholic weekly, and this month’s caning of three Muslim women for illicit sex has soured his plans.

Najib recently unveiled an ambitious Government Transformation Programme (GTP) focused on six key areas that will, among others, improve the economy while reducing crime and corruption.

He has also liberalised 27 economic sub-sectors and will introduce, what he calls a New Economic Model based on innovation and creativity to propel Malaysia into developed nation status.