PETALING JAYA: Under-fire Umno Wanita chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has received support from community leaders who believe the country must presume her innocence until proven otherwise in court.
Shahrizat is facing mounting allegations of misappropriation of funds after PKR revealed public funds for the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) were allegedly used to purchase two luxury condominiums for RM13.8 million at One Menerung in Bangsar.
Calls for her resignation have not only come from the Opposition but also veteran Umno leaders, including former Wanita chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz.
National Assocation of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia's (Nawem) advisory panel member, Mariam Tun Sulaiman, said the public must allow the authorities to complete investigations before jumping to conclusions.
“I think this is Malaysian politics at its worst. People like to sensationalise issues. You should allow investigations first and I believe every person has a right to be investigated first then only can you make comments.
“It is unfair to jump the gun. The accusations are unfair. Let the authorities do their job first. There are two sides to a coin but God will always have the last say,” she told The Malay Mail.
She also said leaders like Rafidah should shut their mouths if they have nothing positive to say.
“You should shut your mouth. If you cannot give positive comments then you should keep quiet. It is for them to criticise because they are not in Shahrizat's shoes. We just want fairness.” Rafidah told The Malay Mail in an exclusvie interview that “tainted” leaders must leave for the good of the party.
In a thinly-veiled reference to her successor, the former Wanita Umno chief said: “If your toe has gangrene, you don't chop off the whole leg, you just amputate the toe!”
Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association Malaysia (FEM) president Noor Hayati Abd Rahman said the Cabinet minister had a good track record in pushing for women's welfare.
“She has proven to be good and is always supporting women's cause. I will support her. She has nothing to do with the NFC scandal.
“I also consider it fair that she had been asked to resign. She has nothing to do with it. We will support her,” she said.
Malaysia Council of Cheshire Homes and Services vice-president, Khatijah Suleiman, said Shahrizat must be allowed to resume her duties as the Women, Family and Community Development Minister.
“Why don't we let her carry on her work as a minister? She has done a good job. I am not much into politics but let her do her job whatever it is.
“For years, she has done much for the disabled and women especially with the Domestic Violence Act. I am grateful for her contribution but there is a lot more to be done so we should focus on what we can do for the people,” she said.
Association of Bumiputra Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (Usahanita) president Faridah Jabbar said although Shahrizat was innocent until proven guilty but admitted the current situation was impossible for her to perform her ministerial duties.
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