KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Bernama) -- Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said today her relations with vice-chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim remained cordial despite the latter's call for her to resign.

Shahrizat said she was not upset at her actions and that she accepted Kamilia's view considering that they knew each other since school days.

"It's not a big deal. For me, she has given her view, so I accepted it.

"I'm not easily hurt. We come from one family; as the head, I must accept all challenges because I am the umbrella to all including Datuk Kamilia," she told reporters after attending the Wanita Umno Gathering with Umno President at Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre here today.

Shahrizat was asked to elaborate on her personal relations with Kamilia following the latter's call for her to resign "to protect the credibility of the party, Wanita movement, Barisan Nasional (BN) and government" following the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) issue.

On March 11, Shahrizat announced her resignation as minister upon the expiry of her term as a senator on April 8, but will remain as the Wanita Umno and Wanita BN chief.

The next day, Shahrizat's husband Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail was charged with committing two counts of criminal breach of trust and two offences under the Companies Act involving a total of RM49.7 million.

Mohamad Salleh, who is executive chairman of NFC, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the news conference after the gathering today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is Umno president, said that Shahrizat would continue to be the head of Wanita Umno.

Shahrizat said she was thankful to Najib for his clear support for her to head the women's wing of the party.

Meanwhile, she said the closed-door meeting between the president and about 8,000 Wanita Umno members was about Wanita Umno's preparations to face the coming 13th general election.

"A lot of things happened during the last five months but the support, prayers, commitment and dedication of Wanita have touched my heart," she said.

Earlier Kamilia said her call for Shahrizat's resignation was made based on the request of the grassroots who came to meet her.

However she said that in line with Najib's announcement today, she would continue to be with Shahrizat and other Wanita executive council members in leading the movement to ensure victory in the coming election.