Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak today accused international media such as the New York Times (NYT) and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) of conspiring to deny Rosmah Mansor an international award.

But he added that Malaysia was not even desperate for the 'Lead by Example' award from the Antiquities Coalition, which the prime minister's wife was supposed to receive today for the accomplishments of her brainchild, the children enrichment programme Permata.

Permata was removed from the list of honorees, however, after the Antiquities Coalition was quizzed by the media about Permata's sources of funding, a spokesperson from the organisation said on Monday.