KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 - For the first time since the year 2000 the post of Wanita Umno chief will see a contest as the movement's No 2 Datuk Shahrizat Jalil announced today that she would be running for the top post.
The confirmation of her challenge against Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, the veteran leader and former firebrand trade minister, puts to rest intense speculation over the wing's transition plans.
Shahrizat's decision was reached after a meeting with her aides and advisers that lasted several hours last night.
"Wanita Umno must stay united in strengthening the party and be bold in bringing changes and renewal," said Shahrizat in a two paragraph statement.
Rafidah, the incumbent, has received 117 nominations to contest while Shahrizat, whose poltical fortunes took a tumble in March when she lost her parliamentary seat to the daughter of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has 73 nominations.
In the year 2000, Rafidah defeated the incumbent Datuk Dr Zaharah Sulaiman by a majority of 12 votes. Four years earlier, Zaharah defeated Rafidah who had at that time led the movement for 12 years, by 27 votes.
Both Rafidah and Shahrizat had initially agreed for the Kuala Kangsar MP to step down in June next year for the latter to take over the Wanita Umno leadership.
However, soon after party polls were put off to March next year, pressure mounted from the grassroots for the transition plan to be ditched.
Shahrizat had issued a statement on Oct 8, urging Rafidah to reconsider the June transition, but changed her mind after the Wanita Umno exco meeting on Oct 10, saying she still believed in Rafidah's leadership.
However Wanita exco member Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim, who was not present at that meeting, said she would continue with her plan to contest the Wanita Umno No 2 post, arguing that the exco had no right to decide who should lead the movement.
Kamilia's position put pressure on Shahrizat, who had thought of standing again for the Wanita No 2 job, to instead challenge Rafidah.
Due to the important role played by the wing in Umno's election machinery, top party leaders have refrained from being seen to be interfering with Wanita Umno affairs.
Party deputy president, Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Tuesday only reminded all parties in Wanita Umno not to compromise their ability to help strengthen the party.
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