[DEFEATED: Veteran Women's wing leader, Ms Rafidah Aziz, fell at last; VICTORIOUS: Ms Shahrizat Abdul Jalil earlier backed out of a transition plan.]

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA:  IN THE first of the hotly-anticipated clashes to be decided at Malaysia's Umno party polls, veteran Women's wing leader Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has fallen at last.

One of the country's most well-known leaders abroad - as a longtime international trade and industry minister - she was defeated soundly by her former No. 2 in the wing, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Ms Shahrizat, 56, the special adviser to the prime minister on Women and Family Development, received 507 votes while her former chief, 66, managed only 280.

It was a surprisingly comprehensive win - yet, in truth, the election result was telegraphed earlier in the day when another wing leader asked the delegates whether they were "ready to make changes".

Roared a good number of the 796 women: "Yes, we dare".

Relations between the two leaders had become frosty after Ms Shahrizat backed out of a transition plan that would have seen her take over at a later stage.

Political analysts think it is unlikely that the formidable Ms Rafidah's political career will recover, even though she remains a Member of Parliament.

However, the result of the night's most anticipated clash was still unknown at press time.

The contest for the Youth chief post was full of symbolism: It pitted Khairy Jamaluddin, son-in-law of the outgoing PrimeMinister and Umno president, against Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, son of the previous premier.

The two camps regard each other with undisguised contempt - but a little-heralded third candidate, former Selangor menteri besar Mohamad Khir Toyo, was proving a surprisingly strong contender.

However, whoever claims the Youth chief post, there is one major controversy he will not inherit: Yesterday, outgoing Youth chief Hishammuddin Tun Hussein retired the keris or Malay sword that he brandished in assemblies past.

The gesture had been seen as threatening by members of Malaysia's minority races.

Datuk Seri Hishamuddin - who is moving on after 11 years to contest a more senior position - was presented with the keris for his keeping. He raised the golden blade to his face and kissed it, but left it at that.

"Now that the movement has handed over the keris to me, I will keep the weapon for my personal safekeeping," he was quoted as saying by The Star.

"Symbolically and personally, the keris will no longer be in the hands of Umno Youth."

Today, elections for top posts for the main party will be held.

Top billing goes to a hard-fought contest to be deputy president, who will become - by convention - deputy premier.

Odds-on favourite, International Trade and IndustryMinister Muhyiddin Yassin, faces Rural Development Minister Muhammad Muhammad Taib in a fight that some observers say may be surprisingly tight.

Read also:
» Najib is Umno head
» Najib: The most known "unknown"
» Khairy, the comeback kid
» Abdullah pans Umno
» Photo gallery

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