The party’s news portal, Umno Online, quoted her as saying that she had made the decision as she took seriously the clear voice of the people who sought change and renewal in the party.

“The time has come for Wanita Umno to be led by a new chief with new ways and new ideas to win the support of not only Umno women members but also that of the people outside the party.

“Our women’s wing has many leaders with potential who have the experience, youth and energy. I am convinced that, given the opportunity to lead Wanita Umno, they will perform well especially in serving the people,” she said.

She called on Wanita Umno members to keep up their fighting spirit as the backbone of the party.

Shahrizat, 65, became Wanita Umno head in 2009 after defeating then incumbent Rafidah Aziz.

She was the first Minister of Women and Family Development when the ministry was created by then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2001.

Later, when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became Prime Minister, he retained her in the renamed Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

She suffered an upset loss in her Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat in the 2008 general election seat to newcomer Nurul Izzah Anwar.

The following year, she bounced back by winning the Wanita Umno top post, became a senator and was included in Prime Minister Najib Razak’s Cabinet.

However, she was forced to step down as a minister three years later after being embroiled in a scandal involving the National Feedlot Centre run by her family.