By Rahmah Ghazali
"Such an opinion is not correct. The Queen has a higher status than the 'First Lady'," he said, stressing that the term is non-existent in the federal constitution.
"The Queen's status is enshrined in Article 32 (2) of the federal constitution and her position is prioritised.
“The 'First Lady' term does not exist in the constitution and it is not right to refer to her (Queen) with that term like in other countries.
“If such practice exists here, the term should be used for someone who has a lower position than the Queen," said the premier in a written reply to Batu MP Tian Chuan, who had voiced opposition MPs' objections to Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansur’s use of the term “First Lady”. They felt that the term can only be referred to the Queen.
In some countries, the president or prime minister’s wife is referred to as the “First Lady”. In the Unites States, president Barrack Obama’s wife, Michelle, is referred to as the “First Lady”.
The issue came to a head following a controversy arising from an advertisement in the New York Times during Najib’s first official visit to the United States in April. The advertisement in the newspaper had referred to her as Malaysia’s “First Lady”.
Government not involved
A local news portal had picked up the advertisement and had alleged Malaysian agencies were involved in the public relations exercise, which was reported to cost 
millions.
Najib denied any involvement on the part of his government in the advertisement.
"I would like to clarify that neither the government nor any of its agencies were involved with the advertisement, be it in terms of planning, booking or payment," he said.
It is understood that the advertisement was booked by an American NGO in conjunction with an award Rosmah received for humanitarian work and her efforts to improve the quality of children's education in Malaysia.
"I understand that the NGO has written a letter and explained to the New York Times and the news portal to say that the (Malaysian) government and its agencies have nothing to do with the advertisement.
"I hope this matter will now be closed and no further questions raised,” Najib said.
