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Let's face it. Press freedom in more vibrant in Singapore. At least, the Straits Times there didn't have to kowtow to instructions from the 4th Floor Boys and to brown-out on the wedding.

Here's a photo of Jeanne and her family used in a story by Carolyn Hong, Straits Times' Malaysia Bureau Chief and Chow Kum Hor, Malaysia correspondent:

Caption: FAMILY TIES: Madam Jeanne (centre), with her daughters Nadiah (left) and Nadene Othman from her first marriage. Madame Jeanne is divorced from the younger brother of Premier Abdullah's late wife. -- PENYAYANG BUDI FOUNDATION

We were told yesterday that the media had been instructed not to “dig up anything” on Jeanne’s background or rely on what was being carried on the Internet.

Besides, editors summoned to Putrajaya were also reminded that they couldn't use 'other sources' to write stories about Jeanne (Danker) Abdullah, meaning the reporters can't contact her friends or family for comments, or for anecdotes about her. Not even kindergarten friends' reminiscing stories nor personality pieces.

The media were told to run stories only based on official announcements that will be released regularly through state-owned news agency, Bernama.

Info-on-tap across Cyber-Causeway

But then, Singapore ST runs this today, and it's now available on the Internet:

According to Mrs Bridget Menezes, a friend of the late Datin Seri Endon, Madam Jeanne began supervising the household at the request of Datin Seri Endon herself, who wanted her expertise in organising banquets, as Datuk Seri Abdullah liked to entertain at home.

Mrs Menezes said of Madam Jeanne: 'She is a warm and kind person and extremely efficient as well.'

One of Madam Jeanne's brothers, Mr Faisol Abdullah, runs Jendela Batik, a company set up by the late Datin Seri Endon to promote batik, which was her pet project.

According to a political source, Madam Jeanne had run the house in a no-nonsense fashion, and had been known to turn away powerful politicians who turned up without an appointment to see the Prime Minister.

For this, some complained that she was overly protective of Datuk Seri Abdullah.

But many people whom The Straits Times spoke to said she was warm and always courteous to every visitor.

Her future husband is said to be besotted with her.

A political source said he carries a mobile phone around to take her calls and will sometimes interrupt a meeting to speak to her in romantic tones.

Their apparent delay in setting a wedding date had fuelled talk that Datuk Seri Abdullah's children had not given the union their blessing.

But the Prime Minister himself said the delay was due to the need to find the right time, and to consult his children and other family members.

He also said his family had given their blessings.

Hence, we Malaysians can only import information from across the cyber-Causeway. That's what SPH has proven us, and the KK clan.