Curtains for Shahrizat as former minister retires from politics

Former minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has announced her retirement from politics.

The outgoing Umno Wanita chief told reporters of her decision today at the party headquarters, amid polling for the party's Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings.

According to the Malay Mail, Shahrizat, who once helmed the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry under in the Najib Adul Razak administration, stated that one must know "when to leave" in politics.

“I’ve been around a long time. I feel that for me, I must know when to leave. This is the time for me to leave to make way for younger, fresher faces,” she was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month, the often outspoken politician stated that she would not be defending her post as Wanita chief, taking into account the calls for change following the May 9 general election.

"It is time for Wanita Umno to be led by a new leader who can bring new methods and ideas to gain support, not only from members of Wanita, but also from the rakyat,” she said.

The former three-term Lembah Pantai MP was one of the casualties of the 2008 political tsunami – in which then-opposition Pakatan Rakyat make major inroads and Shahrizat defeated by newcomer Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Shahrizat and her family also courted controversy when the 2010 auditor-general's report revealed that the multi-million National Feedlot Centre (NFC) cattle-breeding and beef-supply project, run by her husband and children, had failed to meet its target.

Dubbed 'Cowgate', the NFC was accused of abusing a government loan by making purchases unrelated to the project.

However, she was cleared by the MACC in 2012 of having a hand in awarding the project and the RM250 million loan to her family members.

Rumours had circulated that she would be making a comeback in this year’s general election, but it did not come to pass as she was not fielded for any seat.  - Mkini