Outgoing Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (centre) said she had relinquished all her positions in Umno, including at the branch, division, and national levels.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Outgoing Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil announced today that she was retiring from politics.

Shahrizat did not defend her position in the Umno party election this year and said she had relinquished all her positions in the Malay nationalist party, including at the branch, division, and national levels.

“One thing in politics, we must know when to leave,” Shahrizat told reporters at the Umno headquarters here during polling for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings.

“I’ve been around a long time. I feel that for me, I must know when to leave. This is the time for me to leave to make way for younger, fresher faces,” said the former women, family and community development minister.

Shahrizat, who has been in politics for 39 years, thanked Wanita and Umno members.

“During my tenure, I was able to lead because I had support of the grassroots and our male counterparts as well. So I wish them well. I’m retiring from politics. I’m going to spend more time with my grandchildren,” she said.

“I’m really hopeful that I’m leaving Wanita Umno in the safe hands of the new leader.”

She also said it was fine for each party to have its own mission and vision.

“There must be a common wish, which is the development of the nation and the unity of the people, so I wish Pakatan Harapan the very best,” said Shahrizat.

Shahrizat helmed the women’s ministry from 2001 to 2012. She quit as minister after a corruption scandal surrounding the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) cattle-rearing project broke out.

Shahrizat’s family was accused of using RM250 million in soft government loans meant for the NFC project to purchase luxury condominium units.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), however, cleared Shahrizat of involvement in the procurement of the RM250 million government loan for the National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp).

Her husband Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail, who was NFCorp executive chairman, was acquitted in 2015 of two charges of criminal breach of trust involving RM49.7 million.