He was replying in reply to questions over the reference to his wife as the “first-lady” in a two-page advertisment in the New York Times last month.
“Based on Malaysian customs, culture and protocol, the term ‘first lady’ is not a practice we use,” he said in his written reply to a question by Chua Tian Chang (PKR-Batu) in Parliament yesterday.
Chua, also known as Tian Chua, had questioned the advertisement published in the New York Times on April 16, and had asked if the Prime Minister was aware that using the term “first lady” on the latter’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor contravened Article 32 of the Federal Constitution.
Najib did not directly answer if his wife was accurately called the ‘first lady’ but noted that if the practice was used in Malaysia, the ‘first lady’ should be a person whose status is below that of the Raja Permaisuri Agong.
“Many people believe that in the Malaysian context, the term ‘first lady’ refers to the Raja Permaisuri Agong.
“This perception is inaccurate. This is because the position of the Raja Permaisuri Agong is higher than the ‘first lady’,” he said.
He noted that the position of the Raja Permaisuri Agong was enshrined in Article 32 (2) of the Federal Constitution.
“The position should be given priority above all others after the Agong,” he said.
Najib further explained that the term ‘first lady’ did not exist at all in the Federal Constitution.
“Hence to liken the Raja Permaisuri Agong with the ‘first lady’, like what is practised in other countries, is inaccurate.
“If the practice of using the term ‘first lady’ is used in Malaysia, then the ‘first lady’ should be a person whose status is below that of the Raja Permaisuri Agong,” he concluded.
Najib also refuted Tian Chua’s claim that the Malaysian government had paid for the New York Times advertisement.
“I understand that the advertisement was placed by a non-governmental organisation in conjunction with the award that they were giving to my wife for her contributions to humanitarian efforts and in championing children’s education.
“I would like to explain here that the Malaysian government and none of its agencies were linked to that advertisement whether in planning it, or ordering for it or paying for it.
“I understand the NGO has also written a letter and explained to the New York Times and the news portal that claimed we placed the advertisement, to explain the issue.
“Hence the issue of cost of the advertisement should not arise,” he said.
In his question, Tian Chua had also asked Najib to reveal the bill that the government had to foot in order to place the advertisement in the New York Times.
The two-page spread features several pictures of Rosmah and contained a congratulatory message to her for being the recipient of the International Peace and Harmony Award 2010.
It also welcomed her as the “first lady of Malaysia”.
