Eyeing a comeback after a five-year hiatus from politics, Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said her “sabbatical” has given her a fresh perspective on what Wanita Umno needs.
Speaking to New Straits Times, Shahrizat said there was a need for the party to innovate its approaches and reconnect with the people to regain their trust and remain relevant.
“We know that our party machinery is impressive. In this political climate, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels.
“My vision for Wanita is to regain its voice, its relevance, and its strength in the country,” she was quoted as saying by the English daily.
Shahrizat first became the Umno women’s wing chief in 2009 but chose not to defend her post in the 2018 Umno polls, saying she wanted to let its younger members lead and handpicked incumbent Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad to be her successor back then.
She also revealed that Wanita Umno members came to see her about a year ago, asking her to reconsider her political retirement.
“I didn’t make any move. I only took it seriously after the elections when there were no Wanita Umno members in the cabinet.
“We only have Azalina, and although she is not in Wanita Umno per se, she is one of our strongest leaders,” she said, referring to Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Shahrizat however declined to comment on Noraini’s performance as the wing’s chief, who has since confirmed that she will be defending her post in the party election next month.
“I’m not here to tear down the work of another woman leader… we get enough of that from the outside. That said, I have been talking with some of the other women leaders, and there are some areas where Wanita Umno could and should be advocating better for,” she said.
Umno is currently holding its internal party elections for all 191 divisions and 22,000 branches nationwide.
The party’s new office bearers will be elected from February 1 to March 18. However, the positions of president and deputy president will not be contested this time around. – MALAY MAIL ONLINE/NST ONLINE
