Wanita Umno deputy chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today announced that she will contest for the wing's top post next year.

The former cabinet minister - who was appointed as a special adviser to the prime minister after the March 8 elections following her defeat in the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency - made the announcement in a two-paragraph statement this afternoon.

wanita umno pak lah meet rafidah shahrizat event 040808 05 "I, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, hereby confirm that I accept the nominations and support to contest the position of chief of the Wanita Umno Movement Malaysia in March 2009.

"Wanita Umno must be united in strengthening the party as well as be bold in bringing about changes and renewal," read the statement.

The announcement ended speculations as to whether or not Shahrizat would accept the 73 nominations for her to contest against incumbent chief Rafidah Aziz, who received 117 nominations at the division level.

Previously, Rafidah had stated that she would defend her post and hand over the reins to Shahrizat in June.

Strong backing for Shahrizat

However, Wanita exco member Kamilia Ibrahim threw a spanner into the works by announcing that she would contest for the number two post.

shahrizat abdul jalil official media notice on umno wanita chief post challenge 201108 She had received 55 nominations, which is more than the minimum number required to be a candidate for the contest.

Kamilia's announcement led to speculations that Shahrizat had been left with no choice but to go against Rafidah for the number one slot.

Kamilia, on the other hand, is expected to win the deputy chief post uncontested.

Some of the divisions which had nominated Rafidah were also said to have switched their allegiance to Shahrizat.

According to Wanita exco member Raja Ropiah Raja Abdullah, more than 100 divisions are behind Shahrizat in her move to contest the Wanita chief.

At least five states are also said to have given their full support to Shahrizat to challenge Rafidah.