Former Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has waded into the debate over who should lead the wing, saying that it was high time "more credible" talent take over ahead of the next general elections.
The veteran Wanita leader had expressed disappointment that her successor Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil would keep the post as potential challenger, former Puteri chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, is poised to drop out of the race.
"What difference is it going to make now even with me talking or responding?
"Some place their personal goals over and above the needs of the party and words of advice is going to do very little to change anything...change comes from your own willingness first," Rafidah told The Malaysian Insider in Kuala Lumpur.
Shahrizat had defeated Rafidah for the post in 2009 by garnering 507 votes against 227.
There has been no love lost between both high profile politicians since then.
"Just let them be..let them 'toy around' with the wing,” Rafidah said.
"Oh well, but since I am already retired, I don't want to care about this anymore... let them be.
"Don't waste your time and effort..I am simply not interested and you'd better believe it," said the AirAsia X chairman.
Has opted out
Azalina had decided not to contest the top post and instead will vie to become a supreme council member. The Pengerang MP failed to make it to the supreme council in 2009.
Azalina, a lawyer, had decided against challenging Shahrizat after being "advised" to forego her intention, sources had said.
Utusan has since reported in its Wednesday edition that Azalina had confirmed opting out of the contest with Shahrizat.
"I don't want to be the cause of any split in the wing. As such, I am pulling out of the contest for the top Wanita post but will contest for a position in the supreme council," Utusan reported Azalina as saying.
It is understood that a special entourage met with Azalina, the first Puteri Umno chief and who is seen as the most promising candidate by delegates, for an apparent "truce" to make way for Shahrizat.
Azalina was also reportedly promised a post in a government-linked company (GLC) as a trade off for not contesting.
Azalina, well known for donning a tough outlook and being one of the more vocal female politicians, won the Pengerang parliamentary seat in the May 5 general election in what is best described as her first "real challenge" after having won the previous two polls - in 2004 and 2008 - uncontested.
She was thrown into a three-cornered fight, which saw her beating popular 80s singer, Dayangku Intan from PKR and independent candidate, Mohd Azaman Johari, a teacher.
Shahrizat who did not contest in the last general election received a political boost when she was recently appointed as the special adviser on women affairs to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, a position which carries with it ministerial status.
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