Why Shahrizat changed her mind

Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said she would have stuck to her decision not to contest against Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz if the Wanita Umno chief's leadership transition plan had not departed from its original premise. "If developments had not taken place, I would have followed the original plan. I made the decision (to contest the top post) after taking various factors into account."

• "One, that it was in line with the transition of power from Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Datuk Seri Najib Razak in mid-2010.
• "Two, that there would not be any contest for the No. 1 and No. 2 posts in Wanita Umno.
• "And three, that it was to ensure unity in the movement."

She said the situation had now changed: Abdullah would hand over the party leadership to Najib in March 2009 and not in 2010; the party election would be in March next year, not next month; and Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim was contesting the No. 2 post in Wanita Umno.

"The transition plan mooted by Rafidah no longer stands."
Why Shahrizat changed her mind
New Straits Times, Malaysia

Rafidah: 'Transition plan is null and void'

Wanita Umno's leadership transition plan slated for June is now history. In declaring this, its head, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said she would defend her post in the face of the challenge mounted by her deputy Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and would leave it to the delegates to determine who they wanted as their leader for the three-year term.

The long-serving leader of the Umno women's wing is also demanding an answer from her detractors: "Why only express your dissatisfaction now and not when the plan was introduced?"
Rafidah: 'Transition plan is null and void'
New Straits Times, Malaysia