PM Says Jeanne And Him Compatible

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says he has chosen Jeanne Abdullah as his new life partner as they are compatible and is confident that she will take good care of him.

However, he confesses that his love for his late wife Datin Seri Endon Mahmood is for eternity.

"My affection and love for Kak Endon remains strong. I believe God has created in our hearts many spaces for different people that we can love as much.

"We can love our mother, daughter, wife, grandchildren, sisters but we cannot compare the love for our mother with the love for our wife. Jeanne also is a love... that's God's will," he told a packed press conference after opening the Small and Medium Enterprise Convention here today.

About 80 journalists including from foreign new agencies were at the function to obtain a statement from the Prime Minister on his coming marriage to Jeanne after an announcement on this was made by his office this morning.

Following are the Prime Minister's answers to the questions at the press conference:

Q : This morning we received the good news from Datuk Seri. Can Datuk Seri elaborate on your marriage this Saturday?

A : Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), I am happy and grateful to Allah that my choice (of wife) has received the blessings of my children and siblings...hopefully the day will come, Insya-Allah (God willing).

Q : Why on Saturday?

A : It's a holiday...easy for people to come.

Q : Where do you intend to go for your honeymoon?

A : There's no plan yet, have to discuss with the person concerned.

Q : When did you first meet your future wife?

A : I've known her a long time as she is Endon's (late wife) sister-in-law.

Q : When did you propose?

A : I wish I can remember when it was, but I can't remember.

Q : Can Datuk Seri tell us a bit about your future wife?

A : She can take care of me, can be my companion.

Q : Why it took you so long to announce because before this you said it was just a rumour?

A : All the dates mentioned were wrong...that's why I said it was just a rumour. It took some time...I needed to consult my children, needed to find the time, I was too busy going here and there.

Q : Will there be a bersanding ceremony?

A : No...old people getting married.

Q : Will there be a bersanding or reception for the rakyat (people)?

A : No decision yet...many more people to meet....

Q : Can you tell us about the character of your future wife?

A : Firstly, she was humble and friendly with visitors to our residence when Kak Endon was around. She would be the one welcoming and attending to our many friends and other visitors, including foreigners and government officials, because there were meetings held at the residence.

Jeanne would also organise the receptions, big and small, finding the caterer, planning the menu and table arrangement, and she did it well. She has good qualities and can easily interact with people.

Q : How long have you known her?

A : Long enough...about 20 years.

Q : The courtship, Datuk Seri?

A : (Laughing) only recently...less than a year.

Q : How about the wedding gifts?

A : None...very simple (wedding)...this is not our first marriage...no need for so many gifts.

Q : How was Nori's (daughter) response?

A : She accepted it...if she didn't, it would not happen.

Q : So your family knows Jeanne well?

A : Of course...actually she's part of the family...she was Kak Endon's sister-in-law, married to her brother but they divorced over 15 years ago... long time already.

Q : Did Kak Endon love Jeanne?

A : Yes, she did...otherwise, Kak Endon would not have invited her to work at our home...gave the responsibility to her.

Q : Is is true as some people say that it (the marriage to Jeanne) was the stated wish of Kak Endon?

A : She did not say it.

Q : Requested or recommended it?

A : She didn't either.

Q : How is the ceremony going to be held? Moderately?

A : Very moderate...the first one is big, the second small...third, fourth smaller still...(but) no third or fourth...stop at two.

Q : Do you plan to go on holiday after your wedding?

A : There's no plan yet...there's an official trip abroad...will be bringing (Jeanne) along...what's the use of having a companion if you don't bring her along...that also (the press) want to ask?

Q : How about the people...will there be a reception for them?

A : It'll be as usual after this...will be visiting several places ...Sabah, Sarawak...can bring her along to meet the people. I'm not asking the people to hold a big kenduri (feast) when we meet them. If the programmes are suitable, she'll be there too.

Q : Have you ordered the wedding ring?

A : Yes...it's already late now.

Q : Now that you have another woman in your life...how about your love for Kak Endon?

A : My affection and love for Endon remain strong. I believe that God has created in our hearts many spaces for different people that we can love as much.

When we are talking about women, we can love our mother, our wife, but we cannot compare the love for our mother with the love for your wife, and Jeanne is also a love...that's God's will.

Endon's pictures are the reminders of her...but it's alright if hers (Jeanne's) are also included.

Q: What do you call her? Darling, sayang? (Laughter from the floor).

A: You will all know what I call her after the marriage.

Q: What is Datuk Seri's hope from the people?

A: I hope they will pray for our happiness because a happier prime minister can do a lot of good work (laughter and clapping from the floor).

Q: Will your life be more meaningful?

A: How can it not be meaningful? What kind of question is that? More meaningful....yes, more meaningful.

Q: How many guests will be at the wedding?

A: I don't know...but it's only for close relatives.

-- BERNAMA

PM speaks to reporters about his weekend marriage and bride-to-be

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi chose Jeanne Abdullah to be his future wife because they are compatible and they love each other.

“She can take care of me and she can be my companion. That is most important,” the jovial Prime Minister told a packed press conference after the official opening of SMIDEX 2007 and Small and Medium Enterprises Convention here yesterday.


Abdullah, who will marry Jeanne in a private ceremony at Seri Perdana on Saturday, was also asked whether they had “chemistry”. He replied laughingly: “Dah... bincang itu pulak? (Sigh ... why go into that?)”

Abdullah, who was smiling and laughing throughout the press conference, described his future wife as down-to-earth, caring and friendly.

“Kak Endon (the late Datin Seri Paduka Endon Mahmood) loved her. Otherwise she would not have asked her to manage our official residence,” he added.

Asked when he first knew Jeanne and how long they had known each other, Abdullah said: “Maybe at least 20 years. She is actually part of the family. She is Kak Endon's sister-in-law. She was married to her younger brother but they separated more than 15 years ago.”

On when he started falling in love with Jeanne, he blushed and said: “Just recently.”

Pressed further whether he had been in love for over a year, he replied: “Less than one year.”

Asked to clarify whether the rumours that the late Endon had asked him to marry Jeanne before she passed away, he replied: “Kak Endon tak adalah kata wasiat. (The late Endon did not bequeath such as wish).”

He said neither was there any message or recommendation.

On when he proposed to Jeanne and whether it was on bended knee, he said: “I wish I can remember. I'm trying to remember when it was.”

To a question whether his life would be more meaningful with Jeanne as his wife, he said: “How can it not be meaningful? That is God's will. A woman completes a man.”

Asked to comment about his love for his late wife as compared to his future wife, he said: “My love for Endon will remain as strong as ever. Then, I fell for this one. I believe God has created in your heart many spaces for different people that you can love as much as you want.

“You can love your wife. You can love your mother. But you never compare. How can you compare your love for your mother and the love for your wife? God has created the capacity for us to love and to develop relations. That's important.

“Endon's pictures will remain where they are. I will never forget her. Those are lasting memories. It's all right if I want to add Jeanne to it,” he quipped, as the journalists roared with laughter.

Asked why it took so long for him to announce the marriage and why he had brushed off the issue as rumours when asked by reporters earlier, he said the speculated dates of his marriage were wrong which was why he said it was rumours.

“Anyway, it has to take some time. I have to consult my children and ask my siblings. Then, I have to find the time. I was also always busy running around here and there.”

Abdullah said he was happy and grateful to Allah that his children and siblings had approved of his choice.

He said his daughter Nori's relationship with his future wife was good and his siblings had no problems with Jeanne.

“She (Nori) accepts it. Otherwise, it will not go on.”

On why he chose Saturday for the akad nikah, he said: “Saturday is a holiday. It will be easy for people to come.”

He said only close family members would attend the ceremony.

“It will be very simple. No need for too many gifts. It will be far simpler than my first marriage.”

Asked where he would go for the honeymoon, he chuckled and said: “I haven't planned yet. I have to discuss with the person concerned .”

On whether he would address Jeanne as “darling,” he said :”Why are you asking this? One day you will hear it. Next time when you hear me calling her you will know.” At the press conference though, he used the French pronuncation for her name.

On whether he would hold a bersanding ceremony, he said: “There won't be one. It's an old couple marrying.”

He said he had yet to plan for a wedding reception for friends.

Abdullah said he had informed the Yang di-Pertuan Agong about his marriage yesterday morning and later announced it to the Cabinet ministers before issuing a statement to the media.

“Let the people know. There is nothing to hide,” he said, adding that he hoped that the public would pray for the harmony of his marriage.

“A happy Prime Minister can do a lot of good work. I'm not saying I've not been happy so far, but I'm happier with a companion now,” he added cheekily.

Earlier, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz congratulated Abdullah on his upcoming marriage on behalf of the participants of SMIDEX and the convention.

The bride-to-be, Jeanne, 53, was born in Kuala Lumpur and is the eldest of four siblings.

She had worked at several major hotels in the city, including KL Hilton and Pan Pacific Hotel.

Jeanne had served as a supervisor at the Deputy Prime Minister’s official residence and also as manager of the Seri Perdana complex.

She has two daughters from her previous marriage – Nadiah and Nadene.

The Prime Minister lost his wife Endon on Oct 20, 2005 after a two-year battle with breast cancer.

The couple has two children, Datuk Kamaluddin and Nori.

Related Stories:
PM to wed
Wishes from the US
Congrats all-round for Pak Lah