to her. In March 2008, following the general election held in that month, Rafidah was dropped from cabinet, despite winning her parliamentary seat when other ministers had lost theirs. After thirty-two years in government service, and twenty years as a minister, she described herself as being "blessed and content." When asked if she was saddened, she said that she wished Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had told her earlier on not to contest the election. In 2018, she was fired from UMNO ahead of the 2018 general election which saw the failure of the party and BN to maintain the power as a ruling government for the first time in history. Post political career Rafidah currently serves as the Non-Executive Independent Chairman and Director of AirAsia X since March 3, 2011. She was also the Chairman of Supermax Corporation Berhad from June 16, 2015 until her resignation on April 16, 2018. On 5 May 2018, UMNO had announced it had fired three party veterans including Rafidah with Daim Zainuddin and Rais Yatim for supporting the opposition, Pakatan Harapan then. However she claimed she had ceased being a member of UMNO since almost a decade ago. Rafidah was appointed one of the members Economic Action Council (EAC) by the new PH government on 11 February 2019. Election results Awards and recognitions Rafidah was the main recipient of the Nona Superwoman Award in 2018. Honours Honours of Malaysia : Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (AMN) (1973) Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN) – Tan Sri (2008) : Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (DPMS) – Datin Paduka (1979) : Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (SPMP) – Dato’ Seri (1989) : Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Terengganu (SPMT) – Dato’ (1998) : Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) – Dato Sri (2003) : Grand Commander of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DGSM) – Datuk Seri (2007) References 1943 births Living people People from Perak People from Kuala Kangsar Former United Malays National Organisation politicians Members of the Dewan Rakyat Women members of the Dewan Rakyat Members of the Dewan Negara Women members of the Dewan Negara Government ministers of Malaysia Women government ministers of Malaysia Women in Perak politics Academic staff