Shahrizat Abdul Jalil is not afraid to face the issue concerning the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC), which will probably be raised during the Wanita Umno election this October.

"The one contesting in the Wanita Umno election is me, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, and not my husband (NFC chairman) Mohamad Salleh Ismail.

shahrizat 300313 01 "Despite all the allegations, my husband has yet to be punished for anything. We must remember that in Malaysia, a person is innocent until proven guilty," Shahrizat, who is Wanita Umno chief, told reporters after the Wanita Umno election briefing at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur today.

"I don't know whether the (NFC) issue will or will not affect my chances (of winning).

"For me, the issue had been played by the opposition for two years now and nothing that the Wanita Umno members did not already know. They have heard everything. So for me, they can choose whoever they want," she said.

Shahrizat also stressed on her openness to have anybody contesting for the post of Wanita Umno chief in the party election.

Prior to this, only former Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said had voiced her intention to contest for the post held by Shahrizat since 2009.

Meanwhile, Umno election committee chairperson Tajol Rosli Ghazali expressed hope to have full cooperation from all Umno members to ensure this year's party election, which will use a new polling system, would run smoothly.

"Our success will be the testimony of our aspiration to nurture democracy in Umno and to enable the party to stay relevant and strong," Tajol Rosli said.

- Bernama