The wives of the country's leaders should take care of their self-image, as they are representing not only themselves, but Malaysia, when accompanying their husbands on official visits, said the prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor.

While stressing the importance of first impressions, Rosmah, however, said that this did not mean that the leaders' wives need to wear expensive or branded clothing.

"Self-image doesn't mean we wear expensive or branded clothes. But it's enough that we wear something that suits the event – neat, stylish, and proper.

"When we wear something neat and exciting, it will give a different perception to the community as it makes for a good first impresion," she said.

She was speaking at the closing of the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers' (Bakti) knowledge and self-image improvement course in Kuala Lumpur today.

Meanwhile, Rosmah, who the Bakti chief, said the wives of the country's leaders needed to build their mental strength when facing negative criticism.

She added that these women should also be smart in filtering information on social media.

"I hope, ladies, that you can not only sift through information on social media intelligently, but are also smart enough to differentiate between what is right, wrong, slander, and made-up stories.

"In our efforts to serve the community, I am of the view that we don't have to care about or think too much about negative comments, or slander hurled against us, especially from the opposition, on social media," she said.