Looks like someone is unhappy over Rosmah Mansor’s removal from an international award – and it’s not Rosmah Mansor.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak, via Malaysiakini, accused both New York Times and The Wall Street Journal of conspiring to deny the wife of Malaysian Prime Minister the ‘Lead By Example’ award.
“It was clear that there was an attempt to tarnish the good image of the country and Rosmah.
“These two organisations are trying very hard to deny Rosmah the award. They have their own agendas,” Salleh was quoted by Malaysiakini as saying.
The minister also added that Malaysia is not desperate for the award from the Antiquities Coalition, which was supposed to be presented to Rosmah on Thursday for the accomplishments achieved by Permata, an organisation founded by the Prime Minister’s wife.
However, the organisers have decided to cancel, at the very last minute, the award as the questionable fundings of Permata came into the spotlight.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister’s Office clarified that Permata is fully funded by the government. The organisation, according to the PMO, is allocated a budget which is approved by the Parliament.
“All expenditures are in accordance with government financial procedures. This is not only a matter of public record, but could have been immediately explained had we or Permata been asked before the award deferment,” the Department said in a statement.
The PMO also stressed that neither Rosmah nor Permata had applied for the award.
