Easy road for Shahrizat to defend top Wanita post

ANALYSIS Even though she is constantly linked to the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal, current Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil does not appear to be facing a tough challenge to defend her post in the Wanita Umno elections this Saturday.

The challenges from Wanita exco member Maznah Mazlan and Raihan Sulaiman Palestin, the daughter of a former Umno information chief, are also not expected to deter her.

Shahrizat's potential was recognised after she defeated former Wanita Umno chief Rafidah Aziz in the 2009 Umno party elections, with a majority of nearly 300 votes. She collected 507 votes to Rafidah's 280.

The reading on the ground currently shows that seven state Wanita movements have thrown their weight behind the former family, women, and community development minister, thus opening up an easy path for her.

This is seen as evidence that her defeat of Rafidah four years ago still resonates strongly among the party grassroots, and Shahrizat is seen as someone who often goes to the ground to take part in many activities, such as Jalinan Kasih and Skuad Sayang.

The decision of former Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman to withdraw from the contest for the Wanita leadership has also removed another major hurdle from Shahrizat's path.

Giving Shahrizat a ‘run for her money'

Prior to this, the last-minute decision by Maznah, a state assemblyperson from Pahang, to contest against Shahrizat surprised many.

Maznah (right) was initially seen as a proxy of Rafidah, but Maznah has denied any such suggestion. 

Ironically, the Pahang Wanita Umno leadership has thrown its supportbehind Shahrizat.

Though seen as a "underdog", Maznah was initially deemed as being capable of giving Shahrizat as run for her money, based on her experience serving in Wanita Umno in various positions since the 70s.

Even though Maznah only came in 16th out of the 20 exco positions in the last party elections, the new selection system, which allows some 100,000 Wanita delegates to vote, opens up various possibilities in the contest for the top Wanita Umno post.

At the very least, Maznah is seen as someone who would be able to reduce Shahrizat's large influence in the movement.

Raihan, meanwhile, is more vocal and has spoken about "cleaning up" the movement, though without elaborating further.

Even though there are efforts to persuade her to withdraw from the contest, she has remained resolute, saying that she does not want to disappoint her supporters.

"If this chance is not used, then do not talk about change, do not blame the leader, because the opportunity to make a change was there but they did not do it," Raihan (right) was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the race for the post of deputy Wanita Umno chief' also sees a similar pattern, with Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Azizah Mohd Dun expected to ride on Shahrizat's popularity.

While many see Azizah as Shahrizat's ally, the other contender, Suraya Yaacob, has not explicitly displayed her loyalty, although she was also seen with Shahrizat at several events.

However, on the basis of strength, Azizah holds the upper hand, after defeating influential Sabah politician Lajim Ukim for the Beaufort parliamentary seat during the May 5 general election.

The huge number of delegates in Sabah will also give Azizah, a lawyer, the advantage.