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By Reme Ahmad, THE STRAITS TIMES

DATUK Seri Rafidah Aziz said yesterday that she was staying put as chief of the Umno Women's wing and as a Member of Parliament, snuffing wildfire talk that she wanted to quit all her political posts.

She also said she was 'surprised' at being dropped from the Cabinet.

'Yes. I wish (Datuk Seri 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.'

But Datuk Seri Rafidah said she accepted with an 'open heart' the decision that left her out of the Cabinet, adding that she was thankful for being the International Trade and Industry Minister for 21 years.

'I am so happy I served for so long, it's nothing to feel down about.' She said 'the time for retirement has come'.

Datuk Seri Rafidah, 64, who was flanked by a dozen of the women's movement leaders as she spoke on her last day as a minister, appealed for calm among her members.

'I would like to announce that I will continue as chief of the Umno Women's movement. There is no reason for me to resign or withdraw,' she said to loud claps from the leaders standing beside her.

Asked about her position as the MP for Kuala Kangsar in Perak, she said: 'No problem. I will serve as best as I can as a Member of Parliament for Kuala Kangsar.'

Her public comments ended a flurry of behind-the-scenes moves starting on Tuesday morning after she was told by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi that she would be dropped from the Cabinet.

She had offered to quit her positions as the Women's wing chief and as an MP, according to party officials. The Women's wing, whose members account for half of Umno's strength of 3.2 million, was also upset that it had lost two full ministers in the new line-up.

Datuk Seri Rafidah was apparently dissuaded from resigning by senior Umno leaders both within and outside her Women's wing, as it would have a devastating effect on the party grassroots.

The status quo meant that she remains Malaysia's most powerful woman politician, as the Women's chief holds the same rank as an Umno vice-president which is just below Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah and deputy president Najib Tun Razak.

Several Umno leaders said she could have been dropped because she wrote a letter to PM Abdullah after the general elections, blaming his poor leadership for the results.

Datuk Seri Rafidah confirmed writing the letter, said by political sources to be 15 or 17 pages long, but refused to divulge its contents.

'It's a private conversation with the Prime Minister,' she said.

The former minister, who appeared calm and resigned to her fate, was still her fiesty self when she met reporters.

Asked if she was dropped because of the huge controversy in 2006 over the issue of Approved Permits (AP) for imported cars, she retorted: 'What AP issue? I tell you, you all are barking up the wrong tree.'

Her feelings at leaving the ministry? 'I can hold my head high and say, I have served with integrity and accountability. That is very important to record.'

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