Selamat Pengantin Baru, Paklah!!

Yesterday, our Prime Minister remarried. The lucky lady was 53 year-old, Jeanne Abdullah. My heart swelled with joy as I watched the news and the clips of the oh-so-simple ceremony today. Many congratulations to the happy couple, may you be happy together till the rest of your days.When the rumours first started about the PM remarrying, he denied it. Turns out the reporters got all their dates wrong. When he finally confirmed the story and announced the date, a lot of unworthy tongues started wagging.

Some say Paklah remarried too soon after the death of his 1st wife, Datin Seri Endon. Tell me, how do you define "too soon"? It's already been more than a year since the beloved Endon passed away due to breast cancer and throughout that lonely period, Paklah has stayed strong. Would people have been happier if he waited for 5 years? 10 years? Why the hell should he? Not a lot of people get a second chance at falling in love, so why should Paklah wait? Who are we to question his motives for remarrying. I, for one, am pleased that he's marrying someone his own age range and standards, and not some anak dara young enough to be his daughter. I can name some ministers and royalties who are like that!


You know the saying, "It's lonely at the top"? I'm pretty sure that rings true with Paklah too. Sure, he's surrounded by his cabinet ministers during the day and I'm sure his children and grandchildren are around him often. But when you've been in a relationship for over 40 years and suddenly lose that person, there's a void in you that craves for companionship. There's that time at night when you're lying in bed and all you want is someone there to hold your hand and hear you tell your day's activities. Someone to joke with and share secret looks. Some one to call you companion.


Companionship. That was the reason given by Paklah for his marriage to Jeanne. And I truly hope that she'll be a great companion for him, just as the Late Endon was.

Some people thought it was scandalous for Paklah to marry the ex-wife of his brother-in-law. First off, Jeanne and her former husband divorced 15 years ago. Secondly, Jeanne was previously the supervisor of the official residence of the deputy prime minister and manager of the Seri Perdana Complex. Who better to marry than someone who knows the demands and ups and downs of being the PM?

Some are bitter because Paklah did not marry a "pure malay". GOOD GRIEF!! Who is a pure Malay nowadays, anyway? And what the hell does her keturunan have to do with being the PM's wife anyway? Whylah these people so dengki?

I don't care. I think it's fab that Paklah remarried and I hope his marriage will make him happier and like he said, do more good work for the people.

My congratulations again to Paklah and his lovely bride. May Allah bless you both and may you both have a happy and prosperous life together. Amin.