Shahrizat quits politics after 39 years

Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. -The Star filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: After 39 years, outgoing Umno Wanita chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Jalil has announced that she is quitting politics.

Shahrizat said she has relinquished all her party posts and will be an ordinary Umno member.

"In politics, we need to realise when we should step down. I have been in this field for a long time. It is time to give way to those who are younger. I have worked with many Wanita members and many are capable to lead.

"I am confident that I am leaving the Wanita wing to the best candidate," she told reporters after casting her vote to pick the chiefs of three wings-Youth, Wanita and Puteri.

Shahrizat said being in politics for close to four decades, she said her legacy was when she was the Women, Family and Community Development Minister before for 11 years.

She said among her achievements was getting Article 8 of the Federal Constitution amended to prohibit gender discrimination.

"Many laws were audited to ensure the rights and interests of women are protected.

This is my biggest contribution," she added.

The former Lembah Pantai lawmaker also congratulated current Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, adding that she is proud of her achievement despite coming from a different party.

Shahrizat wished Dr Wan Azizah the best of luck, adding that she hopes Wan Azizah will succeed in helming the ministry.