Former Trade Minister Says She Was Surprised At Being Dropped From Cabinet

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysia's former trade minister said Wednesday (19 Mar) she was surprised at being dropped from the Cabinet, but pledged to remain loyal to the ruling party, quashing rumors she would quit in protest.

Rafidah Aziz lost her position in the new Cabinet that was sworn in Wednesday, ending a 32-year career in the government, most of it as minister for international trade and industry.

"I accepted the decision with an open heart ... I have served for so long, so the time for retirement has come," said Rafidah, 64.

Rafidah told reporters she was told she was not going to be in the Cabinet by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday (18 Mar) morning, three hours before he announced the Cabinet list.

Asked if she was surprised, Rafidah said: "Yes. I wish (Abdullah) had told me earlier not to contest (the elections). I am also a human being. I thought I would not be dropped since I was allowed to contest."

Rafidah, who won her parliamentary seat, said she will remain in the United Malays National Organization party. She said she will also not quit her post as the chief of the party's women's wing.

"There is no reason for me to quit my party post," she said and urged her supporters to calm down. "We are still UMNO members. Let's continue the party struggle ... and support the party's healing process. We must be united in the party."

Rafidah's comments contrasted with former Home Minister Mohammed Radzi Sheikh Ahmed who resigned Wednesday as secretary-general of UMNO after being dropped from the Cabinet, fueling speculation that the party's unity was cracking.

The party is facing its worst crisis in decades after the 8 Mar general elections produced unexpected losses for the ruling National Front coalition. It lost its traditional two-thirds majority, winning only 140 seats in the 222-member Parliament. UMNO is the main party in the Front.

Following the election debacle, Abdullah revamped the Cabinet, dropping several old-guard politicians.(By EILEEN NG/ AP)