Published November 21, 2008

Rafidah may lose Umno post

Her deputy makes a bid for the women's wing presidency

By PAULINE NG
IN KUALA LUMPUR
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FORMER international trade minister Rafidah Aziz, who lost her Cabinet post this year, may have to relinquish the leadership of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) women's wing earlier than she had planned.

Ms Rafidah, who had expressed her desire to stay on as president of the wing - until at least June next year - before handing over to her deputy, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, could now be ousted at the Umno general assembly in March following a decision yesterday by the latter to challenge her for the No 1 spot.

Political observers say that it would not be easy to dislodge Ms Rafidah before she is prepared to go. And even in the event that Ms Shahrizat, who had earlier agreed to the former's transition plan, manages to win the post, they believe that all would not be lost for the veteran former trade minister.

'Knowing Najib, he will use her in an advisory role although not in a ministerial position,' said a corporate observer, in reference to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak who is slated to take over as Umno president in March from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Indeed, it is Mr Najib's expected 'ascension' to the top and speculation that Ms Rafidah is angling for a place in his Cabinet that made Ms Shahrizat's supporters concerned that Ms Rafidah might renege on her word in the event that she is made a minister.



One of the world's longest serving trade ministers, Ms Rafidah had been visibly peeved at her omission in the Cabinet after the March general election this year, though she later came around to accepting it. At that time, she said that she would devote more time to her family and to rebuilding Malaysia's dominant party Umno, of which the women's wing accounts for about 36 per cent of its estimated membership of one million. The wing plays a large role in the party and its members are particularly active at mobilising the masses during elections.

Ms Rafidah is not expected to take any challenge lightly, however, and political analysts agree that Ms Shahrizat - a special adviser on women and social development affairs to Mr Abdullah - has more to lose should she fail.

Both have received enough nominations to contest the top position, which has been held since 1984 by Ms Rafidah, apart for the one term, 1996 to 1999.

The long period has allowed her to consolidate her grip on the wing, but many consider the 65-year-old grandmother to have outstayed her welcome and prefer that her deputy be given the opportunity to lead.

And in the way of Umno politics, the considerable influence on party matters still wielded by former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad cannot be discounted, with Dr Mahathir favouring Ms Shahrizat after his fallout with Ms Rafidah over the controversial approved permit (APs) issue in 2005.

Dr Mahathir had been critical of the trade ministry, which was then under her, for issuing thousands of the lucrative APs which are required for importing foreign cars, as the move had badly hit sales at local carmaker Proton.

The issue resurfaced this week when an Opposition lawmaker alleged that Ms Rafidah's relatives had benefited from the lucrative permits. But few believe that the AP issue would matter now, given that it is the potential tussle with Ms Shahrizat that is now taking centre stage.