Wanita rebel pledges loyalty, but maintains quit call

Umno Wanita deputy chief Kamilia Ibrahim has pledged to work with her chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, but has refused to retract her call for the latter to step down over the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal.

"Wanita Umno will stand with our chief and continue to provide leadership at all stages, including at the state, division and grassroots levels to ensure victory in the 13th general election.

"As (the wing’s) number two, it is my responsibility to ensure that Umno Wanita and BN function as a team," she said at a press conference after a national meeting of its wing members with Umno chief Najib Abdul Razak.

Kamilia yesterday said it was insufficient for Shahrizat ( above ) to resign as a cabinet minister over the NFC fiasco, that she should also resign from her party post to ensure Umno's integrity.

Asked if she plans to withdraw her statement, Kamilia said she had merely reflected the sentiments of the grassroots.

"My statement was given to express the views conveyed to me by the grassroots," she said.

At this point, an exco member interrupted the press conference saying, "It (the statement) was in her own capacity."

Kamilia ( left ) flashed the exco member an angry look and snapped, "Can I answer the question please?"

Turning her attention back to the press, she declined to elaborate on her statement and merely said, "I leave it up to you all to interpret.".