The political significance of Shahrizat's exit

Shahrizat quit her ministerial post while her husband, NFC executive chairman Mohd Salleh Ismail was charged in the court. So, the NFC scandal should come to a close?!

Shahrizat's political career has most definitely come to an end. She retains her Wanita Umno chairmanship by virtue that she was voted in by her party, and whether she will keep staying so will very much depend on the party.

From the perspectives of political observations, the rise and fall of Shahrizat could serve as a mirror for many.

She could have been an absolutely prominent and outstanding politician, like Rafidah Aziz. Both are very capable women with strong leadership qualities.

Shahrizat has to bow out because of the NFC scandal while Rafidah was plagued by the AP issue.

When Shahrizat made her political debut in the 1990s, she injected a new lease of life into Wanita Umno with her powerful communication skills and good command of English.

As if that is not enough, she is open-minded, and can see things beyond the scope of any particular ethnic community. She has also shown a lot of concern for the status of women and the underprivileged.

Such qualities have set her apart from the strongman style of Rafidah Aziz and won her a lot of applause from the Wanita wing. She has also made a lot friends among the NGOs.

During the 2008 general elections, she had a face-off with Nurul Izzah Anwar for the Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat, and this put many middle class and female voters in a dilemma. She was nevertheless swept out of the way by the brewing political tsunami.

However, the Abdullah administration still approached her with the hope she could push ahead policies for Malaysian women while stabilising woman votes.

She was later elected Wanita chairman to take the place of Rafidah, and appointed a senator and minister.

If appeared that she almost mustered her strength all over again.

She should have made it higher if not for the NFC scandal.

Indeed, superior capability is an advantage for politicians, but more importantly they must also be equipped with right political ethics in order to retain public confidence so that they can scale even greater heights in their careers.

If Shahrizat has known earlier what she should and should not do, she chould have been more vigilant and prevent her family from getting embroiled in any commercial conflicts.

From another point of view, the incident also highlights the increased political awareness among Malaysians and escalated demands for their leaders.

The incident should serve as a warning for the government that national resources have to be utilised in a completely transparent and fair manner.

To Shahrizat, it marks the conclusion of her political career, but to the nation and society, it is heightened awareness and a way forward.

-Sin Chew Daily