Shahrizat's return - boon or bane for Wanita Umno?

Shahrizat's return - boon or bane for Wanita Umno?


Former minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's return to the political arena in contesting the position of Umno women's wing chief - a position she once held - sparked different views among political analysts.

Some are of the view that Umno needs an experienced leader like her, while others feel that the party needs to move forward with a new leader.

"I see Shahrizat's decision to offer to run for the position of women's leader as a result of internal factors affecting the wing.

"She returned (to the political arena) because of the weakness of the leadership of the women's wing at the moment.

"The wing needs a more experienced leader who can help Umno in its efforts to attract voters," UTM lecturer associate professor Azmi Hassan told Malaysiakini.

On Feb 17, Shahrizat (above), who led Wanita Umno from 2009 to 2018, submitted nomination forms for this party's election.

She said the decision was made after considering seriously the voice of the people who wanted to see reforms in Umno, besides giving opportunities to new faces.

She had previously decided not to defend the position during the 2018 Umno election, saying she was stepping down and quitting active politics.

Noraini Ahmad

The incumbent women's wing leader Noraini Ahmad was previously reported to be defending the position.

Commenting further, Azmi said the hope of the Umno grassroots at the moment is to bring in a neutral leader to strengthen the party.

"We are not only seeing the Umno election this time divided into two opposing groups, namely the president's (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) camp and the anti-Zahid camp. Umno Wanita may also face the same scenario," he added.

Political analyst from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Prof Jeniri Amir is of the opinion that Shahrizat's victory in this election will send a negative signal.

"Her decision to contest for the position of Wanita leader seems to signal that Umno is now devoid of leaders. It is an incorrect move. It is like 'old wine in a new bottle'," he said.

"She should help other young leaders to lead if not satisfied with the current leaders.

"If she wins it will be a burden to the party," he said, adding that Noraini's achievements as Wanita leader cannot be measured in one term alone, especially during the political crisis and the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic.


‘Right to return’

Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) political lecturer Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani said it was up to Wanita Umno members whether to support Shahrizat or not.

"She has the right to return to compete. It is up to her to compete if there is support.

"But if there is no support, it will be difficult for her in the future," he said, also admitting that Wanita Umno is indeed facing the problem of a lack of leaders.

Shahrizat came under pressure during her tenure as Umno Wanita chief after family members including her husband Salleh Ismail, who was National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) chairperson, were accused of misappropriating a portion of a RM250 million loan granted to the company. Her husband was acquitted in 2015.