Rafidah: I’ve no plans to take over Shahrizat’s post

JOHOR BARU: Former Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz says she has no intention of contesting for the Wanita Umno chief post.

“I have held posts in Umno for more than 20 years now and it is time to make way for new faces,” the Kuala Kangsar MP said after an event with state Wanita Barisan Nasional members here yesterday.

Rafidah said she was not interested in taking on Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil who beat her in 2009.

Shahrizat, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, is said to be under threat due to the National Feedlot Corporation ( NFC) controversy involving her husband Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail.

Asked if Shahrizat should step down from her position in line with the NFC controversy, Rafidah declined to comment stating that “leaders should know what to do”.

“Those involved should ask themselves if Umno is suffering due to this problem.

“They should ponder if voters are worried and if the problem will be a burden to the party,” she said.

She added that it was up to Shahrizat to determine the best course of action.

Rafidah said that Wanita Umno should not be dragged into the NFC controversy as it was not related to the party at all.

“In the end, if the best decision is to sacrifice oneself for the betterment of the party, then that is what needs to be done,” she said.