Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad today advised embattled Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, saddled with the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal, to know when one should step down.

The former premier told a press conference after launching the e-book version of his memoir A Doctor in the House , that it was better to leave before getting "chased out".

NONE Mahathir ( right ) cited his own retirement as a good example, saying he had made the decision on his own without waiting for others to tell him to go.

"When I wanted to quit at the time, I didn't ask anyone else, I thought I’d better stop."

 

"I hope the others (behave) like that too, do not wait until people chase you off," he said.

 

"If we feel it is necessary to quit for the sake of party, we quit, if we want to contribute, then we contest," Mahathir said when asked if Shahrizat qualified to contest in the coming general election.

Asked further if Shahrizat should know her own limit, he said, "Yes, ukur baju badan sendiri ." (Look oneself in the mirror).

Having a cow over Shahrizat

Shahrizat, who is also women, family and community development minister, has been facing mounting calls for her resignation over the NFC scandal.

NONE It has been alleged that her husband, Mohamad Salleh Ismail - the NFC executive chairperson - had abused a RM250 million soft loan issued by the government for various transactions unrelated to NFC's core business.

Shahrizat ( above ) has maintained that she had nothing to do with the company and has refused to answer any of the allegations.

She also claimed to enjoy overwhelming support from the Wanita Umno wing.

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