SHAH ALAM: Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun has denied rumours she plans to contest Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) Sepang division chief post.
When met by reporters, Rina confirmed she will be contesting for a post in the Sepang division, but declined to reveal which position.
“No, it’s not (the division chief post). I haven’t sent my nomination papers yet. I’ll send it in the late afternoon (today),” she told reporters when met after the Nak Ubah Hidup 2020 programme at the Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam here, today.
The move comes as a surprise, as Rina is the Titiwangsa Member of Parliament – although she is not listed as a member of Bersatu’s Titiwangsa division.
Rina explained that she made the decision as she and her family are originally from Sepang; and pointed out that she was the Sepang Puteri Umno chief before resigning from the party.
Although Rina is the Srikandi chief for Bersatu, the minister does not hold any position at the division level and thus, her ability to gain support at the grassroots level has been questioned.
The New Straits Times recently reported that Bersatu Kepala Batas division chief Azlina Mehtab Mohd Ishaq is going after the Srikandi chief post.
Unlike Rina, Azlina is a grassroots division leader and the latter’s campaign may ruin the minister’s chances of remaining in Cabinet.