IPOH, Nov 19 – Perak Wanita Umno today claimed that 22 of 24 divisions in the state want the power transition from Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz to Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil brought forward from June to March next year.
Its deputy chief Datuk Rusnah Kassim said the move was in line with the Youth and Puteri wings which would be having new chiefs in March.
“We want a new Wanita chief in March and not an acting one. Rafidah herself had said she wanted to hand over the Wanita leadership to Shahrizat. We support the power transition plan and urge that it be brought forward to March,” she told reporters here today.
She said Rafidah’s nomination by delegates at divisional meetings recently did not reflect what the grassroots wanted as they were made according to directive.
Nine divisions in Perak wanted Rafidah retained as Wanita chief while 15 divisions nominated Shahrizat for the post.
Rafidah received 117 nominations as Wanita chief nationwide while Shahrizat received 73 nominations.
Meanwhile, Wanita Umno Exco member Datuk Khamsiyah Yeop said the 117 nominations for Rafidah was only on paper and did not reflect the voice of the grassroots that wanted the pair of Shahrizat and Exco member Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim.
“We don’t want to lose her (Rafidah) just like that. We want to give her the respect so that she will remain a heritage.”
Khamsiyah said should Rafidah decide to defend her post, Wanita delegates had no choice but to choose Shahrizat who had garnered strong grassroots support.
In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Wanita Umno chief Datuk Armani Mahiruddin said four Wanita division that nominated Rafidah had switched to Shahrizat.
The divisions were Keningau, Kimanis, Tuaran and Semporna.
With the switch, 18 of the 25 divisions in Sabah now wanted Shahrizat to
takeover in March.
Armani said the commitment was made by Wanita chiefs Amelia Anjun (Keningau), Maznah Ghani (Kimanis), Jamaliah Antaup (Tuaran) and Manis Muka Mohd
Dara (Semporna).
She said Sabah Wanita wanted the change so that it would be in tandem with the power transition between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“Support for Shahrizat cannot be contained any longer. Rafidah also received strong support but we feel it is more suitable to bring the transition forward to March in preparation for the next general election,” she added.
In KULIM, two Kedah Wanita Umno leaders urged Rafidah to relinquish the Wanita chief post to Shahrizat in March.
Kulim Bandar Baharu chief Datin Rokiah Hassan said Rafidah should be rational and accept the decision of the grassroots that wanted the transition in March.
“Rafidah must put aside personal interest so that Datuk Seri Shahrizat can take over the Wanita chief post”, she told Bernama here today.
Rokiah urged Rafidah to follow the example of president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who should be lauded for agreeing to the power transition plan.
Padang Serai chief Marliah Abdul Latif said Rafidah should come up with the best solution to avoid a split in Wanita.
She added Rafidah should listen and accept views from members by protecting the Umno image so that the party would be respected by others. – Bernama
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