Rafidah: Support nation and party, not individuals

(The Star) – The nation and the party should not have to bear the brunt of the action of certain leaders, said former Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz (pic).

In a Facebook posting on Saturday, the former cabinet minister told the “head shakers” she would continue voicing out her opinions as she cared for both Umno and the country.

Commenting on recent political events in the country, Rafidah said loyalty should be given to the nation and the party but not blindly to any individuals.

“Individuals will come and go and are totally dispensable, whereas the county is not and should not be compromised at any cost,” she said.

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil had recently said she was puzzled by Rafidah’s recent Facebook posts on the country’s political situation.

“I shake my head and am puzzled when reading her posts. For 22 years that Rafidah led Wanita, we were always reminded to be disciplined and loyal to the party leadership, especially to the president,” she was reported to have said.

Rafidah however stressed that she was a loyal Umno member who ‘ will die an Umno member’.

“The party was de-registered in 1987 as a result of a power struggle, the head-shakers must have forgotten that black mark in the party’s history.

“There are already cracks in the party and continued unhappiness among Malaysians, no one should ask for support for leaders as individuals,” she said.

She also called for leaders to stop being in denial and to stop playing factional politics.

“The world is looking at our Malaysian leaders and making their own conclusions.

“Stop being like ostriches with heads in the sand, listen to what is actually happening on the ground and not feel good stories, especially from those with vested interests,” she said.