Najib's wife gets shod in video - and gets flak

A video clip showing Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor letting a woman bend over to help her slip into her shoes has set the social media abuzz.
A video clip showing Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor letting a woman bend over to help her slip into her shoes has set the social media abuzz. PHOTO: SCREEN GRAB FROM YOUTUBE

KUALA LUMPUR • She may be the wife of the most powerful man in Malaysia but you would not want to be in the shoes of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor - at least not for now, when netizens are mocking her for not putting on her sandals by herself.

A short clip showing Madam Rosmah, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, leaving a building - but not before letting a woman squat and bend over to help her slip into her shoes - was uploaded on Facebook and YouTube, setting the social media abuzz.

The 31-second video was taken on Thursday at the headquarters of media group KarangKraf in Shah Alam, where Madam Rosmah was attending a function to break fast during the month of Ramadan, the Malaysiakini news site reported.

Netizens' reactions over the women's actions were mixed, with some coming to the defence of Madam Rosmah, and others voicing sympathy for the other woman, who was not identified.

"Think herself is Cinderella or princess? This is disgusting, man," YouTube user xxibgdrgon G wrote in one comment.

Hitting back at critics, Madam Rosmah's aide, Mr Rizal Mansor, explained in a Facebook post that she was unable to bend her legs owing to pain in her knees.

"The person who recorded the video lacks love or has never put on shoes for his (or her) mother, auntie or grandmother. For those who have, this is just a normal thing," said Mr Rizal.

"It would have been odd if the PM's wife is 25 years old, but she (Rosmah) is 64, her knees are not strong and she can't bend down."

Madam Rosmah is no stranger to controversy. She is often criticised for allegedly leading a lavish lifestyle and being out of touch with ordinary Malaysians.

She was scorned early this year when she complained about having to pay RM1,200 (S$430) to dye her hair and RM500 for tailored dresses, when Malaysia's minimum monthly wage is RM900.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 04, 2015, with the headline Najib's wife gets shod in video - and gets flak. Subscribe