December Discussion

Assalamualaikum and Peace be upon all of you
Welcome to my blog.

December finally here, we already comes to the end of the year 2010. Time flew by so fast. There are many important events occur in this year, including the second anniversary of Radin’s Blog. It been a thrilled to serves all my visitor, follower and blogwalker with all the news and story from the Malaysian Palace. Talk about Palace, we have various beautiful palaces and castle here in Malaysia. Whether it is a modern one or classic, we have it. Here is some of the example;-

Istana Kenangan, currently served as the Royal Museum. It has an unique architecture design, built without the used of any nails. A very symbol of Malay Architecture.

Talk about December, the monsoon season has come again. It is among the reason why the government changes the school break in December; it is a flood season. The meteorology department has raised a warning about a second wave of flood in time. So, better be ready.


First Lady of Malaysia?

Alright, here is another issue have been brought up in the blogging world in recent 2 and 3 months. The used of “First Lady of Malaysia” title for the wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia. In Malay, it is known as “Wanita Pertama Negara”. Is it constitutional?

First of all, the title is supposedly not in used in the first place. It is because; Malaysia adapted the system of Constitutional Monarchy. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (The Supreme Ruler) is the nation Head of State. Thus, the consort to the Supreme Ruler, HM Raja Permaisuri Agong (The Supreme Queen) is constitutionally the First Lady of Malaysia. The Supreme Queen takes precedence in all women here in Malaysia. Thus, there is no need for the wife to a Prime Minister to use the title as “First Lady”

If we look at the usage of the title “First Lady”, it is used to the spouse of the Head of State. The usage of “First Gentlemen” is used if the President is a woman. So, all spouses to the President are entitled as First Lady. Among the easy example is, First Lady of USA, First Lady of Indonesia, First Lady of the Philippines and others. The spouses to the Head of Government, the Prime Minister’s wife have no exclusive title. In Britain and Canada for example, the Prime Minister’s wife is refer to as “The wife of the Prime Minister”. As simple as that.

Here is some example of First Ladies ;-

Michele Obama, The First Lady of United State of America

Ani Yudhoyono, the First Lady of Indonesia. In Indonesia, she is known as "Ibu Negara"

Conclusion

So, if taking Malaysia for example, the First Lady title belongs to HM Raja Permaisuri Agong. As Malaysia is a nation adapted the system as Constitutional Monarchy, the Prime Minister outranks all other except, The Royal Family. Thus, his wife is included. What is the title for Malaysian Prime Minister’s wife? “The wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia”.

HM The Supreme Queen of Malaysia, Tuanku Nur Zahirah.

Constitutionally outranks any women in the nation.

Datin Seri Rosmah Mansur, not the 'first lady of Malaysia', not even the second.

The exact title, "The Wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia"