https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPNWPcWgMZU

Clumsiness has always been associated with excess weight, but when it involves a public figure, supposedly representing the nation, it is more than just the extra pounds!

If it is all about obesity, then, most obese people should not be in the limelight, but it involves two very, very important persons (VVIPs) in the country representing Malaysia to the rest of the world.

I find it amusing, but with no offence, comments that may appear stinging like this should be viewed positively. It is all about the country’s reputation, especially for patriotic Malaysians who have friends all over the world.

It is especially very embarrassing for the entire nation when the VVIP couple – who is none other than Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor -- were unable to understand the basic protocols in a ceremony.

A video clip, based on the CCTV News broadcast, has gone viral on Whatsapp and other social media, showing the blunder made by Rosmah, who accompanied her husband to the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting 2014 held in Beijing.

The video clip has also attracted many comments, such as “How embarrassing! Simple protocol, but our prime minister and his wife could not even get it right!”, “Look, this is Malaysia Boleh! What kind of dudes are they?” and “Najib or his men cannot insist on protocols back home, when they cannot even follow the proper protocols overseas! What a shame!”

Comical

The video clip started by showing the first couples from a number of countries walking towards the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping. Everything went well with all the other very important couples.

It was just a simple protocol, which no one could afford to fumble with. When it came to Najib and Rosmah’s turn, they entered into the hall with great pomp. After a few formal handshakes, Rosmah, however, appeared confused as to where she should stand to pose in front of the camera.

She walked towards the wife of President Xi, but was “bounced” back to Najib’s side, initially trying to stand beside the Chinese president himself, but subsequently had to be “bounced” to the right position, allowing both Najib and Xi to be the main focus.

Rosmah’s blunder is seen across the world. Considering the scale of the APEC meeting, the “live” coverage on CCTV News would have gone far and wide, not only within the Asia Pacific region, but also in America, Europe and other parts of the world.

It is reported that the event had attracted 130 Fortune 500 corporations, with over 1,500 business people from 21 APEC member economies and 17 other countries and regions.

How can the wife of a Malaysian prime minister make such a blunder in the eyes of millions of spectators?

Not My Target

Rosmah had claimed that she was always the target of the Opposition, because she claimed that they could not get Najib, therefore they went for her.

I find such statement amusing as well. The Opposition, as far as history shows, has never gone for the wives of former prime ministers. Even as ugly a person as Dr Mahathir Mohamad, no one took a potshot at Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.

Even the late Endon, the wife of Malaysia’s fourth prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was not only spared of the ridicule, but she was well-loved by people of all races. I am one of those who admire her kindness. Within the Opposition, I am also a great admirer of Anwar Ibrahim’s wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

So, what is it in Rosmah that the Opposition wants to take a potshot at? Perhaps, Rosmah should realise where she stands and why even ordinary man on the street like me look at this video clip, not knowing whether to laugh or to grieve for this nation!

Rosmah has to read the people’s sentiments and stop behaving like the first lady that she is not; instead, she should look at the people who in need of food and start championing their cause.

With the Goods and Services Taxes (GST) which her husband is introducing next year, Rosmah should at least speak up against it, since it will cause great suffering amongst the middle and lower income group. She should advise her husband that branded underwear should be taxed heavily while GST should be postponed indefinitely.

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This is the role of a good Prime Minister’s wife. If Rosmah did just that, perhaps, she may not be the target of ridicule after all. No?