Shahrizat's new appointment raises eyebrows ahead of UMNO poll

MALAYSIA: In Malaysia, the appointment of the controversial former women's minister, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, as special advisor to the prime minister has raised many eyebrows. It comes as the ruling party, UMNO, prepares for elections in October -- an event where Prime Minister Najib Razak will seek to retain his post as party president.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak steered clear of a public announcement, but local newspapers confirmed that former women's minister, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, was officially appointed on August 15 as his special advisor on women's issues.

Mr Najib's apprehension is understandable -- Ms Shahrizat stepped down as women's minister in 2012 over a scandal involving misuse of funds for a national cattle farming project. Investigations are still ongoing and her appointment may tarnish Mr Najib's image as a reformer.

However, some BN leaders and senior government officials defended Ms Shahrizat's appointment.

Madina Mohamad, secretary-general of Malaysia's Ministry of Education, said: "As a wanita, you look at her track record. She's done so much."

Ms Shahrizat stepped down as women, family and community development minister after the scandal involving her family members broke.

While she survived a leadership challenge within her own women's wing and remained as UMNO Wanita chief, her tainted image saw her being dropped from contesting in last May's general elections.

Now, with party elections less than two months away, analysts said her appointment would help to consolidate support for Mr Najib as he seeks re-election as party president.

Jahabar Sadiq, editor of The Malaysian Insider, said: "Najib Razak is a man who is a traditionalist. He likes to work with people he is familiar with. People who are loyal to him... And in many ways Shahrizat has been loyal to him, is familiar to him, and he is signalling that she is in his team."

All eyes will be on the UMNO elections in October, which party leaders have promised will be more open and more democratic.

Ms Shahrizat is expected to sail through as women's chief, despite being challenged by former Puteri chief, Azalina Othman.

UMNO's women's, youth and puteri wings will be having elections on October 12, before polling for UMNO's highest decision making body, the supreme council, on October 19.

- CNA/ac