Rosmah receives Minangkabau's highest award

Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor today received Minangkabau's highest award for women for her contribution and determination in upholding the status of the ethnic group.

The 'Darjah Kebesaran Kerabat Yang DiPertuan Gadih Minang' award comes with the title Puan Puti Reno, which means the supreme princess in Minangkabau royal family.

The investiture held at the Adityawarman Palace was also attended by Minangkabau royal family members, including Raja Alam Pagaruyung Sutan Mohamad Taufik.

Speaking to reporters after the investiture, Rosmah said she was greatly honoured and happy for the award, especially as her parents were also descendants of Minangkabau, who hailed from Sari Lama in one of the districts in West Sumatra.

"I'm so happy to be accepted and conferred with the award and title of a member of the royal family in Pagar Ruyung. I'm deeply touched because even though I have never set foot on Minangkabau land, I can feel that this is my ancestors' place.

"It feels like coming home...I think this is a new beginning for me and also a new experience," she said.

Rosmah also hoped that the award and the family ties which had been established would also strengthen the existing relations between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Also present were Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek, Social and Cultural Affairs Advisor to the Government Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim and Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim.