[UPDATED] Shahrizat fails to return as Wanita Umno chief as Noraini easily defends post

KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has failed to reclaim her old post as chief of Umno’s Wanita wing for the 2023-2026 term, having withdrawn from politics back in 2018.

Wanita Umno secretary Rosni Sohar told Utusan Malaysia that incumbent Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad had obtained 106 votes based on unofficial results, exceeding the 96 votes required for victory. – The Vibes, March 12, 2023

Former women, family, and community development minister Shahrizat was apparently neck-and-neck with Noraini during the vote-tallying process.

However, the latest official results showed Shahrizat only obtaining 35 votes, far behind Noraini, who garnered 56 votes and is incidentally the former’s successor to the post.

Ironically, several media outlets had earlier reported that 147 Wanita divisions had called on Shahrizat to contest and regain the top post.

The 69-year-old previously held the position from 2008 and 2018, but handed it over to Noraini following Barisan Nasional’s (BN) historic fall from federal power. 

Her rationale for returning was that an experienced person was needed to “reboot” Umno and make it attractive again to voters, following the party’s poor performance in the last general election.

The election that began last night also saw two daughters of Umno stalwarts earning spots in the leadership of the women’s and Puteri wings.

As of 12.30am, Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid, daughter of Deputy Prime Minister and current Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was second place on the Wanita executive council. She attained 64 votes.

Meanwhile, Nooryana Najwa Najib, daughter of former Umno president and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, also won a position in the Puteri Umno leadership line-up.

Receiving 106 votes, it is likely that she will become a member of the Puteri wing’s executive council.

Noraini, who is also Parit Sulong MP, has held the post of Wanita chief since she was first elected as such in 2018.

Shahrizat, who had led the Wanita wing for ten years starting in 2008, decided not to defend her post in the 2018 party polls.

She had said she made the decision because she took seriously the voice of the people who wanted to see changes and reforms made in Umno.

Despite this, Shahrizat, who is also a former Lembah Pantai MP, recently announced her intentions to run against Noraini for her old party post. – The Vibes, March 12, 2023