Malaysian women are already emancipated, and so, there is no need for them to take to the streets to fight for their rights, said the prime minister’s wife Rosmah Mansor.

NONE “We ladies are very fortunate, the government said yesterday that the prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak) is women-friendly,” Rosmah ( left, in photo ) said during a first ladies forum in Kuala Lumpur today.

“We are quite emancipated, we don't have to go to the street, we’ve got what we like to have,”she said.

The forum was part of the programme during the Global Summit of Women 2013, in which Rosmah was joined by the first ladies from Laos, Namibia and Zambia.

'My hubby won't listen to me'

During the forum, Rosmah further brushed off  allegation that she “dictates” her husband’s actions.

She said this when asked by the moderator on the matter of the infringement of government policies by first ladies, when they themselves are activists.

NONE “(I) Don't think that a husband will listen to (his) wife. We (first ladies) are always being accused, that we dictate to them so much... which is not true,” she said.

Rosmah later shared a story of how she it took her some effort to “get around” Najib and make him listen to her ideas.

"I remembered, on the early childhood education (issue), I tried to convince him (by saying) 'Darling, this is the way to do that'. (Judging from his response,) I knew he's not listening," she said in jest.

She later improvised by asking a group of professors to meet Najib and briefed him on the structure and syllabus required, following which he gradually bought the idea.

NONE "I told him: 'Darling, this is exactly what I said (before), why don't you listen to me?'. Then he just said he can't listen as I am his wife.”

Najib, who officiated the event, also told the audience that “my wife said earlier that she can 'get around' me (sometimes). The lesson here is, do not underestimate women.”