Malaysia’s former first lady in a spot over luxury items

MALAYSIANS ARE DEMANDING TO KNOW HOW ROSMAH COULD AFFORD AN OPULENT LIFESTYLE

In early 2015, as Malaysians were protesting over government plans to introduce a consumption tax, the then first lady was complaining about the rising costs of her hairdresser.

Rosmah Manor lamented in a speech at a public forum on the implementation of the tax that she had to pay 1,200 ringgit (Dh1,101) for one hair-dyeing session, at a time when the minimum wage job in Malaysia paid 900 ringgit a month.

Rosmah’s comments angered many Malaysians, who had already noticed her luxury watches and handbags in public appearances with her husband Najeeb Razak, who was ousted as prime minister in an election on May 9.

But with tight controls on the media, there was little open criticism of her lavish lifestyle.

Now, after Friday’s seizure by police of hundreds of bags, including expensive Hermes ones, and a stash of jewellery from apartment units where Najeeb’s family was living, public attention is focusing on Rosmah.

An unshackled media and many Malaysians are openly demanding to know how Rosmah was able to afford an opulent lifestyle. Many have compared her with Imelda Marcos, who left behind more than 1,200 pairs of shoes when her husband Ferdinand Marcos was ousted as president of the Philippines in 1986.

Rosmah has long defended her tastes. “There are some accessories and clothes that I have bought with my own money. What is wrong with that?” Rosmah, 66, was quoted as saying in an authorised biography published in 2013, when asked about her opulent lifestyle.

Rosmah issued a statement on Saturday asking authorities to follow the rule of law to avoid a premature public trial.