The role of members of the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) should not be forgotten as they were not merely the wives of national leaders, but acted as a catalyst to the

efforts of national leaders in bringing prosperity to the country.

NONE Bakti president Rosmah Mansor said Bakti members, who were from

various background, racial groups, professions and experiences, gave the organisation strength because it could make various contributions in line with the aspiration of the 1Malaysia concept.

"Throughout the more than 50 years of independence, women had formed the majority of the country's population and continued to be the backbone of Malaysia's development.

"As such, we should never forget the role of the women who stood beside the national leaders. Their role is more than just being the leaders' wives," she said in her speech at the Bakti Charity Dinner in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

Also present were Bakti vice-president Noorainee Abdul Rahman and her husband, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, as well as former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

Rosmah, who is the wife of the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak,

said the diversity in background formed an asset which resulted in Bakti becoming a unique organisation with a high profile and always active in endeavouring to bring prosperity to Malaysia's multi-racial and multi-religious society.

- Bernama