Headline Shahrizat uncowed MediaTitle Malay Mail Date 09 Apr 2012 Color Full Color Section News Circulation 20,816 Page No 1,3 Readership 49,000 Language English ArticleSize 1035 cm² Journalist N/A AdValue RM 11,826 Frequency Daily PR Value RM 35,478 Outgoing minister says Wajifelii^ tells armchair critics to go to the ground and assess movemefit's,9tee»gth ASRUL HADI ABDULLAH SANI UNCOWED, Datuk Seri plicating Shahrizat's family. for all kinds of challenges. and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Shahrizat Abdul Jalil yes­ The women, family and I am not confrontational by Badawi, and Najib for trust­ terday took to task Wanita community development nature but I am firm. J know ing her with a ministerial Umno's armchair critics, tell­ minister was on her final where I want to bring Wani­ post. ing them to go to the ground official duty at the Federal ta and I am their chief. However, she declined to before making more allega­ Territory mosque, yesterday. "Because I am not confron­ confirm whether she would tions about the movement's Her senatorship expires to­ tational, it does not mean stand in the coming general that I am weak." strength. day. Datuk Seri Najib Razak election. She said she would not "I think it is important that will head the ministry. "I have not thought any­ we are not armchair critics. Last month, Shahrizat an­ change even though she was thing about that because Come to the ground and talk nounced that she was giving no longer a minister and she you do not know what to­ to Wanfta Umno and the up the ministerial post amid would also not be dragged morrow brings. But I know leaders. You'll find out how a string of allegations of al­ into PKR's dirty politics. one thing for sure, I am go­ strong and stable we are. I leged misuse of funds from "I am myself and I will ing to work very hard to don't subscribe to being an the NFC managed by her always be. From day one, deliver to Datuk Seri Najib armchair critic ... go to the husband and children. I have always said that we a strong and stable Wanita don't have to scream and ground. However, her decision Umno election machinery "Don't talk from Kuala Lum­ to stay as Wanita Umno shout to send our message for Barisan Nasional," she said. pur, come visit the branches. chief, an elected post, was across. Talk to the women and you criticised by Rafidah and "We don't have to scream Shahrizat, however, warned that she was not will know that their spirits her deputy, Datuk Kamilia and shout or be rude or in­ are high. I am inviting all my Ibrahim, who called for her sulting to send our message ready to hang up her critics to come with me to resignation. The wing later across. It is not necessary. gloves. "Politics has never been a the ground and be with the closed ranks after a briefing We can do many things. burden for me. It has come people and Wanita Umno," by Najib. Like at the ministry, we said the Wanita Umno chief, Shahrizat said she refused were able to achieve many so naturally. As a Muslim, in an apparent reference to to be confrontational and things without burning our Allah decides everything," she said. predecessor Tan Sri Rafidah considered Kamilia her 'sis­ bras or causing any friction Aziz who had alluded to a ter'. with anybody," she said. weakened women's wing, "She is my sister. In poli­ Shahrizat also thanked • More on pg3 following the National Feed­ tics, you must be prepared former prime ministers lot Centre (NFC) scandal im­ Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad Headline Shahrizat uncowed MediaTitle Malay Mail Date 09 Apr 2012 Color Full Color Section News Circulation 20,816 Page No 1,3 Readership 49,000 Language English ArticleSize 1035 cm² Journalist N/A AdValue RM 11,826 Frequency Daily PR Value RM 35,478 Another 'signal' from Najib Temporary takeover of Shahrizat's portfolio a sign elections are near, says political analyst PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Najib Razak taking over the Women, Family and Com­ munity Development portfo­ lio is only temporary and is another sign that the general election is near, says a politi­ cal analyst. Najib took over the post yesterday when Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's tenure as senator ended. Political analyst Dr Ong Kian Ming told The Malay Mail that should Barisan Na­ sional (BN) retain the federal government, Najib will ap­ point someone else. "I think this is another strong sign from him that elections will be held very soon," he said. Ong said most of the interim work at the ministry could be handled by the deputy minis­ ter, Datuk Heng Seai Kie, and senior civil servants. "Although the position is usually handled by women, Najib can adapt his role in the ministry by tying some of his bigger policies which are already in the pipeline, such as BRIM and 1AZAM, to the ministry's welfare outreach programmes," he said. "He can also try to 'spin' his new position to show that he prioritises issues that have to do with women, an impor­ tant voting bloc. "Najib may have made some token appearances as minister, but there will likely not be enough time to intro­ duce major policy initiatives, like mandating that 30 per cent of board representa­ tives in listed companies be women." Asked if there were other more suitable candidates, Ong felt that the prime min­ ister did not want to give the impression that he was giv­ Headline Shahrizat uncowed MediaTitle Malay Mail Date 09 Apr 2012 Color Full Color Section News Circulation 20,816 Page No 1,3 Readership 49,000 Language English ArticleSize 1035 cm² Journalist N/A AdValue RM 11,826 Frequency Daily PR Value RM 35,478 ing the ministry to MCA by to strengthen the support of regressive move for women appointing Heng as acting women for the BN gover­ in Malaysia. minister. ment." "We talk about 30 per cent "It would cause unhappi­ Universiti Sains Malaysia's participation (for women in ness among the ranks of the deputy dean in the School of government) but we are not members of Wanita Umno," Social Sciences, Dr P. Siva­ able to field a women (minis­ he said. Ong expects the murugan, said Najib was not ter) for the very ministry that Opposition to paint Najib's the first man to lead a minis­ should set the example," she move as showing a "lack of try related to women. said. talent", especially of women, "He's only interim minister DAP Wanita chief Chong within BN. and the ministry is also re­ Eng, in a statement, asked if Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd lated to family and society. Najib could handle the addi­ Sani, dean of the School of It's a challenge, but if he can tional responsibilities. International Studies at Uni­ perform well, he might win "This only demonstrates the lack of seriousness of BN to­ versiti Utara Malaysia, said women voters' support," he for better management of said. wards women empowerment the ministry, someone else "As he will be holding three at a time when we are facing should assume the job. portfolios, the best result will stagnated development in "The Opposition would say obtained if he has a strong terms of gender equality." that women leaders in the team that is passionate and ruling BN government are in­ determined to serve society. competent, thus the PM had He said what mattered most to step in," he said. was the end result of policy "The PM's post and finance implementation. job are already tough and it Taking issue with Najib's would be a burden to add an­ decision, PKR Wanita chief other post. Zuraida Kamaruddin said it "It is a women's ministry reflected poorly on the pre­ and should be handled by mier's intention to improve a woman. Heng can be ap­ women's participation in pointed acting minister. government. ONG: Another strong sign here "There's nothing much Na­ In a statement, yesterday, that elections will be held very jib can do in terms of policy, she described the move as soon but perhaps use this ministry "an insult to women" and a Headline Shahrizat uncowed MediaTitle Malay Mail Date 09 Apr 2012 Color Full Color Section News Circulation 20,816 Page No 1,3 Readership 49,000 Language English ArticleSize 1035 cm² Journalist N/A AdValue RM 11,826 Frequency Daily PR Value RM 35,478 How Shahrizafs political career shaped up 1962: After working in several legal firms since the late 1970s, Shahrizat begins her foray in politics when she is appointed as Wanita Umno Kepong Baru branch chief. 1386: Shahrizah begins corporate career, helming companies listed on the Bursa Saham Kuala Lumpur. 1989: Appointed Wanita Umno Kepong Division chiefandWanitaUmno executive council member. 1995: Elected Lembah Pantai MP, a post she held for two consecutive terms. She is also appointed as Sports and Youth Ministry parliamentary secretary. 1396­1999; Became Umno Supreme Council member. 2000: Chosen as Umno Wanita deputy chief. 2004: Appointed as women development, family and community minister. Oct 16,2005­Feb 16,2006: Approinted acting Federal Territories ministerto replace Tan Sri Isa Abdul Samad, who resigned after being found guilty on corruption charges by Umno's disciplinary boaid. Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique was later appointed to fill the post March 8,2008: Lost Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat to 27­ysar­okJ Nurul Izzah Anwar by 2,885 wtes.