Shared experience: Local artisan Ong Bee Hong (left) explaining about the beaded shoe embroidery to the spouses of heads of state and government at Carcosa Seri Negara, Kuala Lumpur. With them are Dr Wan Azizah and Nancy (second and third from left). — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Spouses of regional and dialogue partner leaders play a unique and influential role in strengthening ties within the wider Asean family, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Speaking at the Spouse Programme held in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, the Prime Minister’s wife said spouses often act as “soft diplomats”, nurturing enduring friendships that complement the formal engagements of their partners.
