Malaysia minister in 'Cowgate' scandal to quit ahead of elections

Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, 59, will resign as Women, Families and Communities Minister on April 8.

Shahrizat had come under pressure since her family was accused of using RM250m ($S104m) in government loans intended for a cattle project, to pay for luxury apartments, holidays and a Mercedes.

The ‘Cowgate’ scandal, as it has been dubbed, raises the chances that elections will be delayed, and highlights Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s stuttering efforts to push through reforms.

Najib is widely expected to call elections in the first half of 2012, aiming to win a fresh mandate while economic growth remains relatively strong and before a looming global slowdown jeopardises his chances.

‘Cowgate’ is not the first corruption scandal to hit Najib and his long-ruling UMNO, but the farmyard connection makes it a potentially damaging one because rural Malays, who make up the bedrock of UMNO’s support, can relate to it more easily than to more obscure financial matters.

Shahrizat will remain as head of the women’s wing of Malaysia’s ruling party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), and governing coalition Barisan Nasional (BN).

ORIGINAL SOURCE
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