Shahrir to quit as minister

Following his defeat in the Umno supreme council elections, Shahrir Abdul Samad said he will resign as the domestic trade and consumer affairs minister.

The Johor-born politician said he will be tendering his resignation at the next cabinet meeting next Wednesday.

Shahrir was among two ministers, three deputy ministers and four menteris besar who were shown the exit from the supreme council in yesterday's polls.

Shahrir explained to reporters this morning that he has set his heart to quit from his minister's post after failing to retain his Umno supreme council seat yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference at the Umno general assembly at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Shahrir said his arrived at this decision because he did not receive the endorsement from Umno delegates.

"As a minister, the most important principle is to get moral support from the delegates," said Shahrir, who appeared calm throughout the press conference.

"There are a lot of inflation and price issues under this ministry, but chances should be given to someone else (who is willing to help the people) rather than me.

"This is a golden opportunity for (someone else) to handle the people's issues. If I don't withdraw myself, other people would not get the chance.

"One year is enough for me as a minister. They should find someone who is younger and more energetic.

"The ministerial post does not belong to me, it belongs to the government. If it (the withdrawal) is to the benefit of the people, why not," he said.

My decision is final

Shahrir also stressed that he would not accept an appointment to the supreme council if an offer was made by the new party president Najib Abdul Razak.

The party's constitution allows the president to appoint 12 supreme council members in addition to the 25 who were elected by the delegates.

"I am not sad. A decision has been made. For me, a post in the party is much important than a post in the cabinet... that is why I offered myself to be one of the candidates in the first place," said Shahrir.

Asked whether he would reconsider his decision, Shahrir said:

"My decision is usually final... I do not want to be re-appointed. They should always try to get someone new no matter how good you are."

"Moreover, it would have been much easier to fulfil my task as a minister if there was moral strength for me within the party.

"(When) I don't receive any support, how could I face the people and the opposition (members) in handling the (ministerial) task?

"As a minister, I have to come to Parliament and answer questions, but how can I answer the questions if I am not even endorsed by the party," he asked.

"Besides, this is not the first time I'm in the cabinet... I'm already near 60 and I have said before that I would offer myself to resign."

One other minister who lost

Nevertheless, Shahrir asserted that he would stay as the Johor Baru member of parliament.

Shahrir's resignation from the cabinet next Wednesday would also coincide with the final cabinet meeting to be chaired by the outgoing premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The other minister who failed to retain her seat in the supreme council was Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said ( photo ), who is currently being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

It is uncertain if she will also similarly resign from her cabinet post. She was not available to comment when contacted.

However, her aide said that the embattled minister would be making an announcement next week.

Rais: It's a noble move

In a related development, Foreign Minister Rais Yatim, who was booted out from vice-presidency race last night, explained that Shahrir's move was "in line with collective responsibility principle".

"But that's up (for the minister) to follow it. I haven't thought of it yet (to resign)," he said.

"It is an ideal situation - when a prime minister resigns, all his ministers are deemed to have resigned. This is the conventional interpretation of the Westminster system," he told reporters.

However, he said Shahrir has made a noble move in voicing out his intention to quit as a minister.

"I will feel that his talent will be missed in the ministry. He's a man of principles and someone who does not break promises," said Rais.

He expressed his disappointment towards the delegates whom he believed were involved in vote buying in the supreme council election.

"We cannot gauge it (money politics) yet but the fundamental of money politics has to be analysed further," Rais added.

Abdullah to talk to Shahrir

Commenting on Shahrir's shocking move, Abdullah insisted that Shahrir "is still the cabinet minister" despite his intention to let go of the post.

"When he wants to resign, he has to inform me officially," he said in a press conference at the Umno AGM.

"That's his choice to resign. No one is stopping him from doing so," he added.

Abdullah further played down suggestions by Rais that the entire cabinet should step down, stressing that "it never happened before".

"A long time ago (before I took office), (former Gerakan president Lim) Keng Yaik said that all ministers from the previous administration should resign or retire.

"He said, give Pak Lah a chance (to appoint his ministers), but nothing happened," said Abdullah with a laugh.