ID :
108741
Fri, 02/26/2010 - 18:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/108741
The shortlink copeid
ROSMAH ACCENTUATES IMPORTANCE OF FIRST LADIES' ROLE
By D. Arul Rajoo
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- As diplomatic efforts were frantically underway behind the scenes to secure the release of a Malaysian student detained by Egyptian authorities last month, Rosmah Mansor, the prime minister's wife, received a call from former First Lady Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.
Dr Siti Hasmah had sought her assistance to free Ibrahim Mohd Azmi, 22, a
student of the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom taken captive in
Egypt while he was with a Viva Palestina convoy to deliver humanitarian aid to
the Palestinians in Gaza.
Rosmah swung into action immediately, making several phone calls to various
authorities. She also called a friend thousands of kilometres away.
Suzanne Mubarak was no ordinary friend. She was the wife of the Egyptian
president. Rosmah had befriended her while attending the Summit of the First
Ladies of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, last July.
They became close.
The phone call helped. Ibrahim was freed.
In an interview with Bernama, Rosmah spoke of the important role spouses of
world leaders can play. She said their duty went beyond the point of just
accompanying the leaders at official functions.
"We can be working first ladies. We can play an important role in
strengthening diplomatic ties. We can be friends. If something happens, we can go
through informal channels, without the protocol.
"I will always make an effort to get to know the other first ladies whenever we
meet at international conferences graced by our husbands. Our husbands (leaders)
can interact in a more formal and serious way but we, as spouses, canconsider
each other as friends," she said.
In fact, she strongly feels that if first ladies throughout the world cooperate
with one another, a lot of problems can be solved, particularly those related to
women and children.
For almost a year now after her husband, Najib Razak, became Malaysia's sixth
prime minister, Rosmah has displayed courage and commitment in performing her
duties as the wife of the country's most powerful man.
In December last year, Rosmah showed that special quality when she
accompanied Najib on a rare visit by a foreign leader to Thailand's restive southern
region where more than 3,600 people have been killed in the three Muslim-majority
provinces since armed separatists resumed their campaign for independence in January
2005.
"When I am required to accompany my husband on visits such as that to southern
Thailand, I harbour no fear because I know the relevant authorities would have
taken all the necessary security measures. I was not afraid and did not feel
myself to be in any danger when we were there," she said.
In fact, Rosmah said, she was pleased to have had the opportunity to gain the
first-hand experience there.
"I was most happy with the welcome accorded to us by the people there. The Thai
Prime Minister (Abhisit Vejjajiva) was most cordial. It was evident that the
people there yearned for peace and development," she said.
While the Malaysian and Thai governments are to embark on various programmes to
restore peace in the area, Malaysia's Association of Wives of Cabinet Ministers
and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), of which Rosmah is the president, has pledged to
provide support services.
For Rosmah, the frequent travels and duties performed over the past several
months has opened her eyes to the type of important and inspiring role that the
wife of a leader can play.
"During such visits, I will take the opportunity to visit places and programmes
run by first ladies or royal families of the host country. I will learn more
about them and, if they can benefit our country, I will try to implement them
here too," said Rosmah, who has mooted the idea of organising the "Summit of
First Ladies on Nurturing Women Leaders of Tomorrow" here in October.
She is particularly amazed and equally pleased with the developments in the
Middle East, especially the roles played by the women there and the increasing
freedom they enjoyed.
"I am proud of the changes taking place there as they (now) place more
importance on education. They are coming out of their confined space. Many have
PhDs from prominent universities in the world and are taking up bigger roles in
government agencies," said Rosmah, who had accompanied Najib during his official
visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last month.
She said it was heartening to know that many members of the royal and well-to-do
families in the oil-rich Middle East are now taking up courses in various
universities despite the wealth they have and luxurious life they lead.
During the visit to Saudi Arabia, still regarded as a conservative Islamic
country by many, Rosmah said, she was very touched and honoured to have been
given the rare opportunity to accompany Najib at an audience with King
AbdullahAbdulaziz Al-Saud and to witness the conferment of the King Abdul Aziz
Order of Merit (First Class) on the prime minister.
"For me, it was a golden opportunity beyond my dreams. That was one special
moment for me and I will cherish it forever," she said.
Rosmah said the conferment of Saudi Arabia's highest order on Najib was an
honour not only for the prime minister but also all Malaysians and a recognition
for the country's outstanding achievements and contributions to the Islamic
world.
Rosmah also had lunch with seven Saudi princesses and toured the King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (Kaust) and the King Faisal University.
"At Kaust, I asked whether they were taking in women students. The reply was
that there was no problem with that. This was something unheard of 10 years ago.
At the King Faisal University, the authorities are planning to allow women in
the next semester," she said.
Rosmah said she exchanged ideas and views with the princesses, who were
well-versed on a number of issues, including the Syariah law, and were active in
charity organisations.
They also realised the need for their country to ensure that their people were
not left behind by the rest of the world, she said.
"They want to be modernised but not Westernised. They want changes that benefit
the people. They are also impressed with the progress made by women in
Malaysia," she added.
In the UAE, Rosmah said, she had fruitful discussions with Sheikha Fatima
Mubarak, mother of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who had
made tremendous contributions to women empowerment in her country.
Rosmah also met Princess Haya Al Hussein, the wife of UAE's Vice-President and
Prime Minister.
Sheikha Fatima ran a foundation for children and women and had given great
attention to their well-being, she said, citing the establishment of gymnasiums
in all districts of Abu Dhabi which provided women with an avenue to exercise
and participate in recreational activities for free.
Such developments, said Rosmah, should be an eye-opener for women in Malaysia
who have been enjoying vast opportunities and facilities to improve themselves
for a very long time.
"They should be grateful that opportunities in education, business and economy
have existed in Malaysia for many years. We are at a very good level, with many
women holding high positions in the government and private sectors," she said.
Despite the progress that had been made over the years, Rosmah said, women in
Malaysia should not be satisfied with what they have achieved and should keep
improving themselves and stay united.
With this in mind and realising the need for the country to produce top brains,
especially unearthing talents among the poor, Rosmah has undertaken an
interesting initiative known as the Permata Negara/Permata Pintar programme.
Rosmah, who is chairman of the National Permata Policy Executive Committee,said
the programme would mould young children to be smart, emotionally mature and
have good communication and oratory skills. She said the programme has shown
success in a short period.
"I visited schools for the gifted in Thailand, China, France, India and
Singapore. We analysed their methods and came up with our own mould," she said.
In India last month, Rosmah visited the Delhi Public School, an institution
with 7,000 students dedicated to producing excellent students in various
fields.
The success of Permata Negara has prompted the wives of foreign leaders, among
them Sheikha Mozah Nasser Al-Missned, consort of the Emir of Qatar, and the
Zambian president's wife, Thaniwe Banda, to enquire about the programme.
Permata Negara centres have been operating since March 1, 2007, providing early
childhood care and education for children under five, with priority given to
those from families with a monthly household income of less than RM1,500
(US$441).
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- As diplomatic efforts were frantically underway behind the scenes to secure the release of a Malaysian student detained by Egyptian authorities last month, Rosmah Mansor, the prime minister's wife, received a call from former First Lady Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.
Dr Siti Hasmah had sought her assistance to free Ibrahim Mohd Azmi, 22, a
student of the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom taken captive in
Egypt while he was with a Viva Palestina convoy to deliver humanitarian aid to
the Palestinians in Gaza.
Rosmah swung into action immediately, making several phone calls to various
authorities. She also called a friend thousands of kilometres away.
Suzanne Mubarak was no ordinary friend. She was the wife of the Egyptian
president. Rosmah had befriended her while attending the Summit of the First
Ladies of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, last July.
They became close.
The phone call helped. Ibrahim was freed.
In an interview with Bernama, Rosmah spoke of the important role spouses of
world leaders can play. She said their duty went beyond the point of just
accompanying the leaders at official functions.
"We can be working first ladies. We can play an important role in
strengthening diplomatic ties. We can be friends. If something happens, we can go
through informal channels, without the protocol.
"I will always make an effort to get to know the other first ladies whenever we
meet at international conferences graced by our husbands. Our husbands (leaders)
can interact in a more formal and serious way but we, as spouses, canconsider
each other as friends," she said.
In fact, she strongly feels that if first ladies throughout the world cooperate
with one another, a lot of problems can be solved, particularly those related to
women and children.
For almost a year now after her husband, Najib Razak, became Malaysia's sixth
prime minister, Rosmah has displayed courage and commitment in performing her
duties as the wife of the country's most powerful man.
In December last year, Rosmah showed that special quality when she
accompanied Najib on a rare visit by a foreign leader to Thailand's restive southern
region where more than 3,600 people have been killed in the three Muslim-majority
provinces since armed separatists resumed their campaign for independence in January
2005.
"When I am required to accompany my husband on visits such as that to southern
Thailand, I harbour no fear because I know the relevant authorities would have
taken all the necessary security measures. I was not afraid and did not feel
myself to be in any danger when we were there," she said.
In fact, Rosmah said, she was pleased to have had the opportunity to gain the
first-hand experience there.
"I was most happy with the welcome accorded to us by the people there. The Thai
Prime Minister (Abhisit Vejjajiva) was most cordial. It was evident that the
people there yearned for peace and development," she said.
While the Malaysian and Thai governments are to embark on various programmes to
restore peace in the area, Malaysia's Association of Wives of Cabinet Ministers
and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), of which Rosmah is the president, has pledged to
provide support services.
For Rosmah, the frequent travels and duties performed over the past several
months has opened her eyes to the type of important and inspiring role that the
wife of a leader can play.
"During such visits, I will take the opportunity to visit places and programmes
run by first ladies or royal families of the host country. I will learn more
about them and, if they can benefit our country, I will try to implement them
here too," said Rosmah, who has mooted the idea of organising the "Summit of
First Ladies on Nurturing Women Leaders of Tomorrow" here in October.
She is particularly amazed and equally pleased with the developments in the
Middle East, especially the roles played by the women there and the increasing
freedom they enjoyed.
"I am proud of the changes taking place there as they (now) place more
importance on education. They are coming out of their confined space. Many have
PhDs from prominent universities in the world and are taking up bigger roles in
government agencies," said Rosmah, who had accompanied Najib during his official
visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last month.
She said it was heartening to know that many members of the royal and well-to-do
families in the oil-rich Middle East are now taking up courses in various
universities despite the wealth they have and luxurious life they lead.
During the visit to Saudi Arabia, still regarded as a conservative Islamic
country by many, Rosmah said, she was very touched and honoured to have been
given the rare opportunity to accompany Najib at an audience with King
AbdullahAbdulaziz Al-Saud and to witness the conferment of the King Abdul Aziz
Order of Merit (First Class) on the prime minister.
"For me, it was a golden opportunity beyond my dreams. That was one special
moment for me and I will cherish it forever," she said.
Rosmah said the conferment of Saudi Arabia's highest order on Najib was an
honour not only for the prime minister but also all Malaysians and a recognition
for the country's outstanding achievements and contributions to the Islamic
world.
Rosmah also had lunch with seven Saudi princesses and toured the King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (Kaust) and the King Faisal University.
"At Kaust, I asked whether they were taking in women students. The reply was
that there was no problem with that. This was something unheard of 10 years ago.
At the King Faisal University, the authorities are planning to allow women in
the next semester," she said.
Rosmah said she exchanged ideas and views with the princesses, who were
well-versed on a number of issues, including the Syariah law, and were active in
charity organisations.
They also realised the need for their country to ensure that their people were
not left behind by the rest of the world, she said.
"They want to be modernised but not Westernised. They want changes that benefit
the people. They are also impressed with the progress made by women in
Malaysia," she added.
In the UAE, Rosmah said, she had fruitful discussions with Sheikha Fatima
Mubarak, mother of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who had
made tremendous contributions to women empowerment in her country.
Rosmah also met Princess Haya Al Hussein, the wife of UAE's Vice-President and
Prime Minister.
Sheikha Fatima ran a foundation for children and women and had given great
attention to their well-being, she said, citing the establishment of gymnasiums
in all districts of Abu Dhabi which provided women with an avenue to exercise
and participate in recreational activities for free.
Such developments, said Rosmah, should be an eye-opener for women in Malaysia
who have been enjoying vast opportunities and facilities to improve themselves
for a very long time.
"They should be grateful that opportunities in education, business and economy
have existed in Malaysia for many years. We are at a very good level, with many
women holding high positions in the government and private sectors," she said.
Despite the progress that had been made over the years, Rosmah said, women in
Malaysia should not be satisfied with what they have achieved and should keep
improving themselves and stay united.
With this in mind and realising the need for the country to produce top brains,
especially unearthing talents among the poor, Rosmah has undertaken an
interesting initiative known as the Permata Negara/Permata Pintar programme.
Rosmah, who is chairman of the National Permata Policy Executive Committee,said
the programme would mould young children to be smart, emotionally mature and
have good communication and oratory skills. She said the programme has shown
success in a short period.
"I visited schools for the gifted in Thailand, China, France, India and
Singapore. We analysed their methods and came up with our own mould," she said.
In India last month, Rosmah visited the Delhi Public School, an institution
with 7,000 students dedicated to producing excellent students in various
fields.
The success of Permata Negara has prompted the wives of foreign leaders, among
them Sheikha Mozah Nasser Al-Missned, consort of the Emir of Qatar, and the
Zambian president's wife, Thaniwe Banda, to enquire about the programme.
Permata Negara centres have been operating since March 1, 2007, providing early
childhood care and education for children under five, with priority given to
those from families with a monthly household income of less than RM1,500
(US$441).
-- BERNAMA
