In a stunning victory, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today deposed reigning Iron Lady Rafidah Aziz as Wanita Umno chief.
In the final count, Shahrizat, 56, defeated Rafidah by garnering 507 votes against 280 - a convincing margin of 227 votes.Shahrizat has gone for broke by challenging her boss Rafidah, who had helmed the wing for more than 20 years.
Rafidah, 10 years senior to Shahrizat, was not in the main hall when the announcement was made at 9.15pm.
Shahrizat, who did not defend her deputy chief post, needed to win this contest to remain in the political mainstream.
The humiliating loss by Rafidah is likely to end her long and often controversial political career.
Khairy Jamaluddin is new Youth Chief
Khairy Jamaluddin has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by winning the much-coveted Umno Youth chief tonight.
In a battle touted to be between the scions of top two political families, the son-in-law of outgoing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has beaten Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of former premier Mahathir.Mukhriz could be seen crying and being consoled by his supporters, while Khairy appeared jubilant where he was hugged by well-wishers.
The contest for the Umno Youth chief post was close enough for a recount of votes following objections raised by the candidates.
According to earlier information gleaned from inside the assembly halls, the race to be the Umno Youth chief was a close one with the lead changing hands among the three contestants.
The post was three-horse race among Khairy, Mukhriz and Mohd Khir Toyo, the former Selangor menteri besar.
The polling for all posts in the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings of the ruling party ended at 1.45pm today.
Polling started on time at 11am for the Wanita and Puteri wings but there was a slight delay for the Youth delegates.
No untoward incidents were reported during the polling process.
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