Show of force for Shahrizat at Wanita meet

Thousands of grassroots Umno Wanita members have descended on Kuala Lumpur for the meeting called to explain the planned resignation of their chief, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil as Women, Family and Community Development Minister over her family's involvement in the National Feedlot Corporation scandal.

Several groups were not shy of their intent to use the meeting to bolster their chief, enthusiastically chanting "Long live Shahrizat" and "We love Shahrizat".

They also unfurled banners and lifting up placards reading: "We fully support Shahrizat's leadership" and "Shahrizat, continue your struggle, we will continue to support you" as a beaming Shahrizat watched on.

Today's meeting comes a day after Umno Wanita deputy chief Kamilia Ibrahim said that Shahrizat's resignation from the Cabinet was insufficient, insisting that she must also relinquish her party post.

However, those within Umno Wanita who share that sentiment were conspicuous by their silence at today's meet.

Shahrizat and Kamilia were both huddled into a room as soon as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak arrived at 3.30pm for the meeting that lasted about ten minutes.

The trio later marched up the red carpet to the hall where some 7,000 members had converged to listen to Najib's explanation of the situation.

Along the way, Kamilia wore an  expressionless face as supporters lined beside the walkway and chanted "We love Shahrizat".

The closed-door event today appeared to be an effort by the premier to forestall any split within the Wanita wing ahead of an anticipated early general election.

[More to follow]