(Dan Tri) – Once considered the most powerful woman in Malaysia, Rosmah Mansor, wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, is said to hold hidden power, greatly influencing her husband’s government operations.

Ms. Rosmah Mansor (Photo: Malaysia Online)

Earlier this month, right before becoming the focus of an investigation into a $4.5 billion corruption scandal, the wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak affirmed that she never interfered in the government’s affairs.

`I want to tell you that I have never interfered in the Prime Minister’s work, especially government-related work. I don’t understand why people associate me with my husband’s work.

Ms. Rosmah also added: `Don’t think I control him, my job is to take care of my husband, children, and family. I take care of my family, while my husband takes care of the people.`

But perhaps these assertions cannot change the previous prejudices of many Malaysians about the woman who was once considered the most powerful woman in Malaysia.

Women seize power

Mr. Najib and his wife (Photo: Reuters)

Mrs. Rosmah was born in 1951 in Kuala Pilah, a small town in Negeri Sembilan state.

Public opinion believes that Ms. Rosmah holds great hidden power to influence former Prime Minister Najib in government affairs.

In 2013, Mr. Najib’s government was criticized for deciding to let the prime minister’s wife, who did not hold any government position, represent the government at a business summit in Qatar.

Ms. Rosmah was also accompanied by government officials, while the costs of trips by government plane were also covered by the national budget.

In a recent share on Facebook, Ms. Rosmah’s stepdaughter, Azrene Ahmad, also admitted that Ms. Rosmah oppressed Mr. Najib, carrying out missions without Mr. Najib’s knowledge.

Luxurious lifestyle

Mrs. Rosmah owns a huge collection of branded goods.

Before the police discovered and confiscated hundreds of designer handbags and 72 suitcases of money in the private home of former Prime Minister Najib and his wife, Mrs. Rosmah was known as a woman with a lavish lifestyle.

Reuters last year quoted a US source as saying that Ms. Rosmah used more than 27 million USD from the national fund just to buy a diamond bracelet.

In addition to her collection of diamonds and branded watches, Ms. Rosmah is said to also own a collection of branded handbags with each item ranging in price from 12,000 USD to 300,000 USD.

The Wall Street Times quoted a report that also said that Ms. Rosmah spent a total of at least 6 million USD on buying clothes, shoes, and jewelry via credit card in the period from 2008 to 2015.

Also related to Ms. Rosmah’s lavish lifestyle, The National news agency said that Ms. Rosmah spends 1,200 Ringgit (330 USD) each time she invites a stylist to come to her house to do her hair while the minimum wage for Malaysians is only about 900 Ringgit.

Minh Phuong

Synthetic