A center-spread ad costing US180K to US230K

Why in the world would the wife of Malaysian Prime Minister wanted to place an ad in the center-spread of a US newspaper? Who is paying for the hefty bill? Reading the headline, we all know where the money is coming from.

Rosmah ad placed on govt’s behalf

11 May 10 : 8.00AM

By Koh Lay Chin
kohlaychin@thenutgraph.com
PETALING JAYA, 11 May 2010: A recent two-page spread in the New York Times, costing thousands of US dollars and featuring the prime minister's wife, was placed on behalf of the Malaysian government.
In an e-mail response to questions from The Nut Graph, the New York Times said: "The advertisement was placed by an ad agency on behalf of the Malaysian government."
The response from New York Times executive director of community affairs and media relations, Diane McNulty, reveals that the ad was not placed by private individuals, as suggested by the last line in the ad's congratulatory message.



There is so much more the money can do for the poor and needy in Malaysia, why blew it in just an ad. Anyway, who in the USA would want to have a second look at the ad? It boggles my mind!