Has Rosmah Mansor ever chaired a cabinet meeting? Has she ever advised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong?

These are some of the questions posed by the prime minister's aide Rizal Mansor when contacted by Malaysiakini .

He was asked to respond to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's assertion that Rosmah was acting like she was the prime minister.

"There are those who say that Rosmah acts like the prime minister. I don't see this, so please tell me, [...] has she ever attended a cabinet meeting or chaired one?

"Has she ever given instructions to any minister or chief secretary? Has she ever advised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," questioned Rizal.

He further queried whether she had ever announced the dissolution of Parliament or where her six outriders and Special Action Unit (UTK) escorts were if she were indeed acting like the premier.

Lavish lifestyle

Yesterday, Mahathir wrote on his blog that he had received many complaints about Rosmah among which is that she acted like the prime minister.

"They are not comfortable with (prime minister) Najib Abdul Razak's wife, her lavish lifestyle and her behaviour as if she is the prime minister," he wrote.

Mahathir added that complaints had not only come from the Malays and Umno, but also from the Chinese.

The former premier is on the warpath to force Najib out of office.

The premier's wealth and his family's extravagant lifestyle has courted international attention with reports being published in the New York Times and Indonesia's Tempo magazine.

Following the New York Times report, the Prime Minister's Office attributed Najib's wealth to 'inheritance'.

Mahathir has also taken aim at Najib's ability to lead, saying the latter would bring ruin to Umno at the next general election unless he steps down.

Related stories

Mat Sabu: Yes, PM needn't quit, just dissolve House

Tajuddin: We back PM, but he must fix 1MDB

Thorns revealed in Najib's rosy picture

Who’s the bigger clown - Rafizi or Dr M?

PMO denies cabinet reshuffle on the cards

Hadi backs Najib to stay on as PM

Nothing will come out of 1MDB audit, as usual

A whole lot of boogie-woogie in Umno

Round 2: A desperate Najib fights back

'Big issues submerged in Umno feud'

Teo: PSD cuts should target FLOM dept