Shahrizat, prove your popularity in Penang

Malay NGO challenges Umno Wanita chief to contest in her home state in the coming polls to show that voters, especially women, still supported her.

GEORGE TOWN: A Malay NGO today challenged Senator Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to contest in her home state of Penang in the coming polls to prove that voters still supported her as the Umno women’s chief.

In issuing the challenge, Penang Malay Congress president, Rahmad Isahak, criticised the outgoing federal minister for refusing to relinquish her Umno leadership post.

Rahmad said Shahrizat should step down immediately as Umno Wanita chief as well to “save the party from further embarrassment and public contempt”.

He said Shahrizat’s stubborness in refusing to heed public calls for her to quit seemed to suggest that she has strong grassroots support among women folk.

“There is no better way for Shahrizat to prove that support than by contesting in her home state in the next general election.

“She should get the mandate from the people of Penang… ,” Rahmad said in a statement to FMT.

He added that the Penang Malay Congress was certain that the people would reject Shahrizat and send her to a permanent political retirement.

Umno’s credibility at stake

On Sunday, Shahrizat announced that she would step down as Women, Family and Community Development Minister when her term as senator ends on April 8.

However, she said she will remain as Umno Wanita chief.

Shahrizat resigned in the wake of a public uproar over the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp) RM250 million scandal.

However, the former Lembah Pantai MP claimed innocence on the issue. “I have nothing to do with NFC. I just happened to be married to the chairman,” she said.

Prime Minister and Umno president Najib Tun Razak expressed his gratitude to Shahrizat for her decision and urged Umno women members to give her their full cooperation.

But the Penang Malay Congress is convinced that Umno’s credibility would be severely compromised as long as Shahrizat remained as the Wanita head.

He said Umno grassroots women leaders and members would find their backs against the wall due to stinging public criticisms against their chief during the election campaign.

“She will be a major liability to Umno, causing serious adverse effects.
“Other Umno leaders would also be associated with NFC. Consequently, Umno’s election campaign and electoral chances would suffer,” said Rahmad.