The Malaysian Insight

WANITA Umno head Shahrizat Abdul Jalil is retiring from politics.

She will not defend her post in the June 30 party polls, saying it is clear that members want change.

“The one thing we must know in politics is when to leave.

“I have been around for a long time. I feel that for me, I must know when to leave. This is the time for me to leave, to make way for younger, fresher faces,” she said when contacted by The Malaysian Insight.

Shahrizat said it is time for the wing to be led by a new chief who has fresh ways and ideas to win the support of not only Umno’s women members, but Malaysians in general.

She said the wing has many experienced, energetic and youthful potential leaders, and she is confident that they will serve the people well.

Shahrizat, 65, became Wanita head in 2009 after defeating incumbent Rafidah Aziz. She was the first to lead the Women and Family Development Ministry, which was created by Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2001.

Later, when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became prime minister, he retained her in the renamed Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

In the 2008 general election, Shahrizat suffered an upset loss to then newcomer Nurul Izzah Anwar in the Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat.

The following year, she bounced back by winning the Wanita Umno top post. She also became a senator, and was included in former prime minister Najib Razak’s cabinet, focusing on women’s issues.

Shahrizat was forced to step down as minister three years later, after being embroiled in a scandal involving the National Feedlot Corporation, run by her family. – June 23, 2018.