A cocktail personality of explosive emotions

NOT many people would take lightly the thought of going to the gallows.

But bomoh Mona Fandey did. Clad in a yellow long-sleeved shirt with a red sweatshirt on top and red tights, she flashed a big smile to the crowd outside the courtroom after her sentencing.

“I’m happy with the decision and I thank Malaysians,” she told reporters as she blew kisses to the crowd.

Ironically, her nonchalance betrayed a hint of predictability for a person with a cocktail personality of explosive emotions and a twisted sense of humour.

Mona, 39, captured journalists’ attention with her constant smiles, wardrobe and theatrical behaviour.

People were kept guessing about the outfit she would wear for each court hearing. Her favourite was a bright-red body-hugging top and tights with lips a bright scarlet.

If it was difficult to fathom her fashionable dress code under circumstances, it was worse trying to keep up with the mood swings of the bomoh.

When a salesman testified that she had purchased jewellery from his shop, she swore in Hokkien and called him a liar.

On another occasion, she broke down in tears and complained that police had tortured her to make a statement after her arrest.

If anything, they reflected the antics of a woman who has also described herself as a businesswoman, singer, actor, politician and even a princess.

“I love Fandey,” said the larger-than-life woman as she was led away from the courthouse.