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Be proud of Rosmah’s “fruitful” trip to Qatar, says Minister

Graft-busters powerless to probe Rosmah’s son despite clamour for action

Putrajaya has defended Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's recent use of a government jet for her trip to Qatar, saying the trip was "fruitful".

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said Malaysians should be proud that the Prime Minister's wife was invited to the Gulf state to discuss "many things".

"The outcome of the visit was very positive, we must be proud and thankful for the efforts and hard work put in by the prime minister's wife.

"A visit to a foreign country is not for fun, it involved a lot of responsibilities," Shahidan told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

He said Rosmah's trip brought a positive outcome, but added he would reveal the benefits of the trip after receiving a report on it.

Opposition lawmakers yesterday grilled Shahidan on the use of the official government jet by Rosmah for the visit last week.

Rosmah had delivered a keynote address at the 4th Qatar International Business Women Forum in Doha, organised by the Qatari Businesswomen Association and the Interactive Business Network.

The two-day forum was attended by the Qatar Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohammed Saleh Al Sada.

The Malaysian delegation included Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who is special advisor to the prime minister on women entrepreneurs and professionals; Datin Seri Siti Rubiah Datuk Abdul Samad, wife of the Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman; Datin Seri Khamarzan Ahmad Meah, wife of International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed; and Datin Seri Che Kamariah Zakaria, wife of Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

Shahidan said Rosmah received an official invitation to attend the event.

"It was brought to cabinet for deliberation and it was an official visit based on the invitation from Qatar," he said.

He slammed the opposition for insisting that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak use commercial flight for official trips, pointing out that it would result in a heftier bill than using government jets.

"The opposition’s contention was illogical as it is more expensive to charter commercial flights," said Shahidan. - November 18, 2013.