I withdrew because I love Umno - Azalina

Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said she withrew from contesting the Wanita Umno chief post because she loved the party.

She said she arrived at the decision after considering the views and advice of various parties and was confident the decision had gone down well in the interest of party solidarity.

"As a loyal party member and one who loves Umno, what is important to me is to see Umno continue to be united and strong as we have to be prepared from now to face the 14th General Election," she said in a statement here.

In it, she also announced that she will be offering herself for a seat in Umno's supreme council and to be head of Pengerang Umno.

Prior to this, Azalina had announced that she wanted to challenge incumbent Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for the Wanita Umno chief post but changed her mind to avoid splits in the party.

In the same statement, Azalina also thanked Shahrizat and Wanita Umno for pledging support to her in her quest for a seat in Umno's supreme council.