Following Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin, another Umno leader has urged Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to resign her ministerial post over the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) issue.

According to a report published by Malay daily Sinar Harian , Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Alhabsee supported Bung Moktar’s view that Shahrizat should step down.

NONE However Shahrizat ( left ) can retain her party post as Wanita chief as the wing’s delegates still need her services and her resignation as Wanita chief will destabilise the party.

“If she resigns the ministerial post, the people will see her as a great woman. In addition, Shahrizat can devote her attention to strengthening the party machinery in facing the coming general election.

“That is, if she loves the party. Or else the people will see the government in a bad light, and Shahrizat needs to bear the full responsibility,” Syed Ali is quoted as saying.

The outspoken grassroots leader said Shahrizat should not wait for the green light from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin as she has been in politics long enough to know what should be done.

NONE Whether her resignation is accepted by Najib and Muhyiddin or not is another issue, he said.

“Does Shahrizat like other people to make decisions for her? If not, step down in a gracious way now,” he urged, adding that Shahrizat should not drag the government and Umno leaders into the controversy.

Syed Ali (right) called on Shahrizat to emulate Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin who successfully leads the movement without holding any government post.

Shahrizat has been the target of the opposition in recent weeks.

It has claimed that her husband, Mohamad Salleh Ismail - the National Feedlot Corporation executive chairperson - had abused the RM250 million soft loan issued by the government.

Enjoying overwhelming support from the Wanita Umno wing, Shahrizat has, however, maintained that she had nothing to do with the company and has refused to answer any of the allegations.

Despite her stand, several Umno leaders and delegates have insisted that she should explain the allegations and step down.

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