Just go away, Shahrizat

By A Young Malaysian via The Malaysian Insider

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil says that if she resigns over the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) scandal, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail must also quit as PKR president over her husband’s criminal charge.

Rubbish. The two are not the same. The NFC, now being investigated for criminal breach of trust by the police, involves RM250 million in taxpayers’ monies and is, therefore, a matter of public interest.

On the other hand, the sodomy charge against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, even if not politically motivated as claimed by critics, is essentially a personal matter.

Whether or not Shahrizat really helped her husband secure the NFC contract as alleged by the opposition is of no matter, at least politically.

There is enough going against the NFC, with all the unrefuted claims that public funds meant for the cattle scheme were used for personal ends, that she should step down as soon as possible to avoid any hint of impropriety.

Further attempts by Shahrizat to hold on to her post will only drag the party down further at a time when it can ill afford to be tainted by a scandal of this nature.

That’s the nature of guilt by association, which, unfortunately for the (unelected) federal minister, damages her case more than she realises.

So, dear Shahrizat, please stop using the Umno general assembly pulpit to defend the indefensible or attempt to deflect blame by pointing to the other side and shouting, “You too!”

It’s a downright embarrassment every time you open your mouth to do that.

Whether you like it or not, it’s time to go. If not for the people, then at least for the sake of the party.

Maybe you’ll be rehabilitated after a stint in political wilderness, maybe not. But at least Umno will stand a better chance of surviving the NFC fallout without you.