Pressure on Shahrizat whether to accept on challenge to Rafidah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Pressure is building up in Wanita Umno as more and more divisions have called on deputy chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to go for the movement’s No. 1 post.

This runs smack against the power transition plan from Wanita chief Tan Sri Rafidah Abdul Aziz to Shahrizat in June next year, three months after the party elections.

Shahrizat, who had declared that she would not be going for the No. 1 post, has already secured the required quota of nominations to mount a challenge.

She has obtained 41 nominations out of 118 divisions which have conducted their meetings while Rafidah has garnered 78 nominations. The qualifying quota is 39 nominations.

Some members are puzzled why Rafidah will only hand over the reins three months after retaining the post.

Despite the outcry, Shahrizat is keeping mum on the turn of events. She has so far received 78 nominations for the deputy chief post.

Bandar Tun Razak Wanita chief Salmah Pin said there was no way of curtailing the tide from the grassroots.

Six of nine divisions in Federal Territories Umno have picked Shahrizat for the Wanita Umno chief post while the rest including the Bandar Tun Razak division back Rafidah.

Salmah, who is also Federal Territories Umno Liaison Committee secretary, said Bandar Tun Razak division supported the transition plan.

“What is happening is shocking as one day before the Federal Territories divisional meetings, Shahrizat told all division heads to back the transition plan. But this is what the grassroots wanted,” she told Bernama.

Jerlun Wanita chief Datuk Maznah Abdul Hamid said members do not want the No. 1 post to be contested to avoid disunity.

"Actually, when we give our nominations, it does not mean that we are goading the candidate to contest. It is an indication to Rafidah and Shahrizat to sit down and discuss again for the well-being of Wanita," she said.

The Jerlun Wanita Umno division nominated Shahrizat for the Wanita chief post and Kuala Kangsar Wanita chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim as deputy chief.

Maznah said her division had proposed Rafidah as Wanita Umno adviser to enable her to continue to contribute to the wing.

"I hope Shahrizat will state her stand and take the risk as she has the support of the grassroots," said Maznah.

Permatang Pauh Wanita chief Normala Abdul said the nomination for Shahrizat was out of sincerity from members who wanted her to go for the No. 1 post.

"There will not be much changes if she (Shahrizat) were to take over the reins three months after the party elections. It is better to hand over power to her right away.

"However, it depends on Shahrizat to make the decision but it is our hope at the grassroots' level that she agrees with us," said Normala, adding that if the transition plan was followed, Shahrizat would be acting Wanita chief without a deputy for three years before the next party elections. — Bernama