[NST] DATUK Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil will resign as minister and Wanita Umno chief in the next few days, sources close to her who are also senior movement leaders said.

A state Wanita Umno chief said Shahrizat, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, told her close circle of executive council members on Friday night that she would be relinquishing
both her posts.

It is also learnt that Shahrizat had met with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Friday to discuss her resignation.

“Shahrizat told us she wanted to let go of both her posts. She was not happy with suggestions that she resign as minister but remain as Wanita Umno chief until the next party election. She sees no point in this. Therefore, she made up her mind to relinquish both positions,” said the state Wanita Umno chief.

The source added that some of the movement’s senior leaders who were upset with Shahrizat’s decision met with Najib the same day to discuss the matter. Another senior Wanita leader said a close aide of Shahrizat’s had informed some Wanita members that Shahrizat would resign on Saturday (yesterday).

"However, this did not happen. We are puzzled as her officer was very confident that an announcement would be made that day. Perhaps she is waiting for the right time."

Other highly-placed sources said it was certain that Shahrizat would not be fielded in the upcoming general election. There were also many other signs yesterday pointing to an impending announcement of Shahrizat's resignation.

Najib and Shahrizat's short exchange before the start of a press conference following the launch of a Wanita Barisan Nasional welfare programme, Jelajah Sayang 1Malaysia, at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council, fuelled speculation that the Wanita Umno chief would make an important announcement soon.

Shahrizat was stopped by Najib while they were both walking towards the stage for the press conference. They proceeded to discuss in hushed tones while approaching their seats on the stage.

Reporters overheard what was discussed between the two. To a question from Najib, Shahrizat said: "It is not the right place. It is not proper. Maybe tomorrow (today)."

P/s: Berdasarkan berita NST di atas, Sharizat dikatakan akan meletakkan jawatan kerajaan dan parti dalam tempoh beberapa hari. Hal ini disahkan oleh pemimpin pergerakan wanita UMNO dan sumber akhbar tersebut.

Namun, keputusan peletakan jawatan sama ada dalam kerajaan atau dalam parti bukanlah lesen untuk melepaskan keluarga Sharizat daripada pengadilan atas tuduhan penyelewengan dana ayam dan pecah amanah. Kedua-dua pertuduhan ini turut dibangkitkan oleh Nazri Aziz selaku Menteri yang menjaga porfolio undang-undang dan pihak polis turut mencadangkan pihak peguam negara membuat pendakwaan atas pertuduhan yang sama.

Selagi isu ini tidak dibawa ke muka pengadilan, selagi itulah kes NFC relevan dan perlu dibangkitkan dari semasa ke semasa. Kerajaan perlu menyiasat kes ini dengan teliti kerana sebanyak RM250 juta wang rakyat didakwa disalahgunakan untuk pelbagai pelaburan atas nama peribadi ahli keluarga Sharizat. Wang sebanyak itu bukanlah dana UMNO atau BN tetapi dana yang diperoleh hasil pelbagai cukai yang dikenakan terhadap rakyat negara ini.