Shahrizat wins Wanita chief post - Malaysiakini

In a stunning victory, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today deposed reigning Iron Lady Rafidah Aziz as Umno Wanita chief.

Shahrizat, 56, garnered 507 votes against Rafidah's 280, with a convincing margin of 227 votes.

Shahrizat has gone for broke by challenging Rafidah, who had helmed the wing for more than 20 years.

Rafidah, 10 years senior to Shahrizat, was not in the main hall when the announcement was made at 9.15pm.

Shahrizat, who did not defend her deputy chief post (the post was won uncontested by Kamiliah Ibrahim), needed to win this contest to remain in the political mainstream.

Rafidah was first elected as the wing's chief in 1984 but she was out for a term in 1999 when she was defeated by Siti Zaharah Sulaiman.

Shahrizat's election today could also result in her being appointed to the government cabinet once again. She was the women, family and community development minister until she was dropped in March last year after losing in the general election.

In her favour, the Wanita delegates today approved a motion calling for the automatic appointment of the movement's chief as a minister.

Wanita polls results

Permanent chairperson
Napsiah Omar (uncontested)

Deputy permanent chairperson
Sharifah Aminahbi Syed Mohd

Wanita chief
Shahrizat Abdil Jalil (507 votes)

Deputy chief
Kamilia Ibrahim (uncontested)