First Lady of Malaysia
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The First Lady of Malaysia is the unofficial title referring to the wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia. It is following the style of the United States where the wife of the President is known as the First Lady of the United States.
As of recent times, there has not been a precedent in Malaysia where someone other than the wife of the Prime Minister served as First Lady. Even when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's first wife, Datin Paduka Endon Mahmood Ambak passed away due to breast cancer or during her long absences in the United States for treatment, there was nobody who was officially designated as first lady in her absence.
The helm of many of Endon's charities and cultural organisations were taken over by Nori Abdullah, Abdullah Badawi's only daughter. While for official functions or government-related organizations, the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor filled in.
The current First Lady is Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, whom Abdullah married on June 9, 2007. She has since filled a role that has laid empty since Endon passing away.
In addition, there are currently three former First Ladies still living: Tun Rahah Noah, Toh Puan Suhaila Noah and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah.
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[edit] Role of the First Lady
The First lady is not an elected position, carries no official duties, and brings no salary. However, she does receive some allowance as recognition of her time and energy put into being the First Lady.
As First Lady, she attends many official ceremonies and functions of state either along with or representing the Prime Minister. There is a strict taboo against the First Lady holding outside employment while serving as First Lady.
Following the Asian value system, where the woman is the guiding light and pillar of the household, the First Lady also represents family values and is taken as a motherly figure to the whole nation.
The First Lady frequently participates in humanitarian and charitable work. It became increasingly common for first ladies to select specific causes to promote, usually ones that are not politically divisive. It is common for the First Lady in Malaysia to form organisations and hire a staff to support these activities.
[edit] Trivia
The second and third First Ladies of Malaysia are siblings. Abdullah Badawi is the first Prime Minister to have two First Ladies under his administration.
[edit] List of First Ladies of Malaysia
| Name | From | To | Prime Minister |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharifah Rodziah Syed Alwi Barakbah | 1957 | 1970 | Tunku Abdul Rahman |
| Tun Rahah Noah | 1970 | 1976 | Tun Abdul Razak |
| Toh Puan Suhaila Noah | 1976 | 1981 | Tun Hussein Onn |
| Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohammad Ali | 1981 | 2003 | Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad |
| Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood Ambak | 2003 | 2005 | Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi |
| Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah | 2007 | Incumbent | Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi |
[edit] Controversy
Constitution of Malaysia (formally known as the Federal Constitution of Malaysia) Article 32 (2) says that the Consort of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (to be called the Raja Permaisuri Agong) shall take precedence next after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong over all other persons in the Federation. In other words, the Raja Permaisuri Agong should be the "First Lady" of Malaysia instead of the Prime Minister's spouse.
