Since she was brought into the government by the late Hussein Onn some 30 years ago, Rafidah Aziz has been through a lot. Not too long ago, she was ousted by Dr Zaharah Sulaiman as Wanita Umno chief but with the downfall of Anwar Ibrahim, Rafidah regained the position during the Umno elections before last.

Being one of the oldest, as well as longest-serving member of the cabinet, Rafidah must have thought that she is invincible. She will only go when she wants to go. But why should she go leaving behind the cushy little empire of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the perk of jetting around the world every other week on investment missions.

Problem is, in politics you simply don't know when your downfall is going to come. One wrong word, one wrong move, you are out of the job. The late US President Richard Nixon never thought he could be brought down by two rookie Washington Post reporters.

Former British Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher still can't believe she had to leave No 10 Downing Street due to a simple error of judgement and, of course, a tinge of arrogance. When she was challenged for the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party, she chose to attend a meeting in Paris and left it to others to campaign for her in the run-up to the party election. She lost.

Question is, should Rafidah go gracefully or wait until she is shown the door by the prime minister? Is this AP episode big or bad enough to force the prime minister to force her out?

The way I see it, Pak Lah cannot sack Rafidah just like that because she is the head of Wanita Umno. She represents an important wing of Umno. It can only be done if Wanita Umno expresses their loss of faith in Rafidah.

The same thing applies to S Samy Vellu, Ong Ka Ting. Lim Keng Yaik and other leaders of component parties in the Barisan Nasional government. Technically, they are appointed by the prime minister but they are more representatives of their parties in the BN.

Because of her age, Rfidah is now in the twilight of her political career. The problem with Umno politics is that no one dares to think the unthinkable. They talk, but in some matters they will never walk the talk.

Since she has nothing to lose, Rafidah should break Umno's tradition by contesting the No 1 Umno post at the next party elections, If she wins, she would become Malaysia's first woman prime minister. Perhaps the time is now ripe for Wanita Umno to show a new spirit for the new century.