Rafidah, Shahrizat meet the press before do-or-die fight

Wanita Umno chief Rafidah Aziz today said that she did not see her challenger Shahrizat Abdul Jalil as an enemy and played down reports of tension between them in the run-up to the party polls tomorrow.

Shahrizat is going for broke by taking on Rafidah for the top post. She is not defending her deputy Wanita chief post and a defeat would leave her in a political limbo.

The battle between the duo for the top post has been build up by the media as a contest which neither can afford to lose.

"I'm surprised at the talks that there is animosity between Shahrizat and me," said Rafaidah today after chairing the wing's pre-council meeting at PWTC. Seated next to her was Shahrizat.

"I'm not the enemy of anyone... far from that. Why is it that people see things differently and try to interpret and say that there is animosity," she was quoted as saying by Bernama .

A smiling Rafidah then looked at Shahrizat and asked if they were enemies.

Shahrizat did not answer but just flashed her trademark smile.

However when a journalist interjected to ask if Shahrizat felt the same, Rafidah took offence and said:

"Are you not listening to me. What do you want me to do... to sleep with her?"

"What relationship are you talking about? Why are you taking it negatively? Jat (Shahrizat) you talk lah, tell him (the journalist). I am done. I've said enough... (he) still raise the issue. He doesn't believe me," she said.

And when Shahrizat responded, she was less effusive in explaining the relationship between the two.

"What I want to say is all is well, okay. It is a contest. We have conducted ourselves very well. The delegates will make the decision tomorrow. We are very professional," she said.

"That's all and good day," and Rafidah interjected again.

Two withdrawals

Before that, Rafidah also said that it was normal to have a winner and a loser in any contest.

Rafidah also said that it was normal to have a winner and a loser in any contest.

"It is best that one refrains from making any interpretation as it will lead to negative assumption when in fact, we are one team and one family.

"All the forecasts about Wanita Umno are not necessary. There is no war; we are not Israel and Palestine," she said.

"Let's not make too many analyses (on the contest) as this will mar Umno's image. All these forecasts, polls, text messages... why would you want to hurt the feeling of others?" she asked.

On another matter, Rafidah also said that Perak exco member Hamidah Osman has withdrawn from contesting the post of Wanita Umno executive council member.

She said that the decision was made to allow Hamidah to concentrate on her duties as the Sungai Rapat assemblyperson and as Perak state executive council member.

"There are two Wanita Umno candidates who are no longer in the list of candidates, namely Hamidah who had just announced her withdrawal and Salmah (Pin) who has lost the eligibility to contest," said Rafidah.

Salmah was suspended for three years after the party's disciplinary board found her guilty of breaching party ethics.