Who is Rafidah Aziz to make such a request from UMNO not to do so? Members of UMNO particularly the women’s wing have every right to nominate a new leader. A party dictated not by the principles of choice and democracy will see its downfall as it will percieved as an authoritarian and feudal organization.

Memoirs of an Iron Lady

Iqbal Abd Ghaffar

When Rafidah Aziz blatantly attacked Abdullah’s intial transition plan during a closed door meeting with the UMNO supreme council in September, little did she realize that she was swallowing her own spit.

She was highly critical and vocal about with Abdullah, lashing out at his plans critisizing it like there was no tomorrow. Her anger must have been fueled by Abdullah’s decision to not elect her as a minister in his new cabinet after the elections.

Since Abdullah Badawi announced his resignation as UMNO president and naming Najib as his successor come March 2009, Rafidah’s transition plan for the Wanita UMNO chief post has not come under fire.

She has openly asked for members not to allow any competition for the number 1 and number 2 post of the UMNO Women’s wing. Her request is no different than Abdullah’s earlier transition plan where he asked UMNO members to not allow the top 2 posts to be contested.

Who is Rafidah Aziz to make such a request from UMNO not to do so? Members of UMNO particularly the women’s wing have every right to nominate a new leader. A party dictated not by the principles of choice and democracy will see its downfall as it will percieved as an authoritarian and feudal organization.

Her track record is impresive, having served 32 years in the civil service and out of that 20 years as a minister in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. She’s been heading the Wanita UMNO wing since 1986. This woman with a will of a rock and a fury like no other is best known by her friends and foes as the “Iron Lady”.

No one doubts that she is a brilliant, sharp, and smart woman. She’s done much good for the nation by growing its trading value to RM1 trillion as of 2006 and in the same time enrichen those around her.

However, her track record alone cannot and should not deter wanita UMNO members from nominating a new leader to head the wing. They have not seen a new leader for over 20 years. It is time for change, and new blood in the organization.

Though it was openly asked that the top two wanita UMNO post not be contested, her current deputy, Sharizat Abdul Jalil has already garnered 32 nominations for the top post. She needs another seven, which is seen as easily achievable given that many divisions want her.

Rafidah may have been sparred from the masacre of Mar 8 but ultimately, it is up to the wanita UMNO members to decide who shall helm the Wanita UMNO wing.

But will Shahrizat have the guts to accept the wishes of the members and go against her boss knowing very well that they have agreed to a transition plan? I just think she might, judging by the people and nominations garnered so far for other candidates running for the Deputy Wanita UMNO Chief.

Let the battle begin!

IAG