Azalina: I will contest against anyone

KUALA LUMPUR: Though no more a Puteri and not quite a Wanita leader yet, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said is ready to graduate into the ranks of the women's wing of Umno.
Speaking on the sidelines of the soft launch of Savings Sales 2008 at Mid-Valley yesterday, the tourism minister said: "I will contest anyone in that position if I meet the quota."
Azalina was asked whether she would vie for the seat if incumbent Datuk Seri Sharizat Abdul Jalil decides to defend it.
The former Puteri chief had said on Tuesday that she would vie for the Wanita deputy chief seat if she obtained enough nominations.
Azalina, who has received six nominations, needs 20 to contest the position.
Kuala Kangsar Wanita Umno division head Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim has qualified with 21 nominations, along with Shahrizat who has received 73 nominations.
Azalina, the Pengerang division chief, was equally confident her perceived good ties with the prime minister and his son-in-law would not jeopardise her chances.
Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said in CheDet.com blog that as a result of her ties, Azalina's chances for the Wanita chief post were slim and that incumbent Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz was still popular.
Rafidah is currently leading the Wanita chief race with 81 nominations while Shahrizat has obtained 41.
"But that comment is not very relevant to me as I'm not going for the top post," said Azalina.
"Anyway, I'm not just close to them (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Khairy Jamaluddin) but I'm close to everybody."
Being a Malay and a Muslim, she said that it was important to be polite to leaders and members alike.
"I'm also extremely polite to other personalities in the party, be they from the Wanita, Youth or Puteri wings. I don't practise any discriminatory tendencies towards anyone," she added.

tunku : we have to respect azalina as she always wins uncontested.she has means to do so.she is very very close to the man of the day.during tun mahathir's time she was sniffing behind him all the time, now behind pak lah and soon behind najib.one thing good about azalina now is that she's looking more feminine than before although still not enough of femininity.may be she should do extreme makeover.