MUAR, April 27 — Tan Sri Shahrizat Jalil said she declined to stand in the general election as she felt that she would be more effective behind the scenes, by ensuring the smooth functioning of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) already-formidable election machinery.

The Wanita Umno and Wanita BN chief said she was offered a spot to contest, but decided against this after consulting BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"At this stage of my political career, I want to be an effective general. I feel that I can contribute more as the coalition women’s chief rather than competing for one parliament seat as I would only be confined to one location.

"This time around, I want to visit our machinery nationwide to strengthen their efforts in the coming election,” she said at the Jelajah Hebatkan BN PRU 14 programme here today.

The former minister said she could serve her party and BN in many ways without becoming a lawmaker.

Earlier this month, rumours swirled that Shahrizat would contest Sungai Besar or Bandar Tun Razak, but she emphatically denied both.

When asked if she would run for office again in the future, Shazirat declined to comment.

"You don’t know what the future holds,” she said coyly.

Shahrizat lost in Lembah Pantai in Election 2008 and has not contested an election since.