Shahrizat in Cabinet: PM’s perogative

However, Umno leaders are confident Najib Tun Razak would consider what is best for party and nation before appointing Shahrizat Jalil as a Cabinet Minister.

PETALING JAYA: Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s appointment to Cabinet is the prerogative of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, Umno leaders said.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin told FMT that he was confident the Prime Minister would consider what is best for party and nation before appointing the scandal-ridden Umno Wanita chief into the Cabinet.

“It is the PM’s prerogative. I don’t want to comment on what the PM ought to do but as far as I am concerned, the PM will assess every Umno candidate on merit and decide what is best,” he said.

“Wanita played a key role in terms of strengthening the party. Shahrizat should be using this second term and mandate to strengthen Wanita’s role in the party and the upcoming elections,” he added.

Umno Cheras division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee mirrored Khairy’s sentiments, and said it was up to the PM to appoint Shahrizat as a Cabinet Minister or otherwise.

“It is the prerogative of Najib. However, he (Najib) has to think what is good and bad for the party and nation,” he said.

“Even if Shahrizat makes a comeback in the party, it doesn’t mean that in the next election (GE14), the people will support the party,” he said.

The former Senator, who has been very vocal against Shahrizat since the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) scandal came to light, explained that the Wanita chief may be popular in the party, but not amongst the public.

“So of course she can win in the party, but may not, in GE14. Najib should take this into consideration before he decides to appoint her as a Minister,” he said.

“Although it is the prerogative of the PM, I hope he will do what is best for the country,” he added.

Syed Ali also hoped that Shahrizat would not bear grudges against divisions which did not vote for her during the polls.

“Shahrizat should not victimise them. She should understand that this is a democratic country and be open to criticism from members,” he said.

“Now she must close ranks, she must work hard together with other Wanita leaders for the party and nation.”

Shahrizat’s win during the Umno polls have shown that she still remains a popular leader in the party despite her fall from grace after her family was implicated in the NFC scandal.