VIDEO| 1.15 mins

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim has nixed the notion that Wanita Umno head Shahrizat Abdul Jalil is to be an adviser to her ministry.

NONE Shahrizat (right) , who had headed the ministry previously, is said to have been appointed as the prime minister’s special adviser on women's affairs with effect from Aug 15, but this has not been confirmed to date.

"Well, she's not an adviser to my ministry," Rohani said curtly, when fielding questions at a press conference today.

She also shot down the claim that Shahrizat would be entrusted with helping her to handle ministerial matters.

According to The Malay Mail Online yesterday, Tourism and Culture Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz had said Shahrizat is being appointed to assist Rohani.

“Rohani is from Sarawak. Probably her focus of work does not cover many of the peninsula aspects... the ministry is used to the management done by those from the peninsula,” Nazri was quoted as saying.

However, Rohani said: "That's his opinion. It's an appointment by the PM's Department. I don't want to comment on that.”

azlan If confirmed, Shahrizat's appointment would mark her comeback to administration after the National Feedlot Corporation scandal left its mark on her and her family.

She had repeatedly disassociated herself from the project, which had obtained a RM250 million soft loan from the government.

However, Shahrizat stepped down as minister when her tenure as senator ended, and she did not contest the 13th general election.

She remains the Wanita Umno head, and will defend her seat in the upcoming party polls.

 

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