Full house: Delegates arriving for a briefing by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi before the party’s general assembly at World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/ The Star
Kuala Lumpur: Turning to its Wanita movement to lead the way in the party’s recovery efforts, Umno has warned its Youth and Puteri members against demanding for positions.
Issuing this warning, deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Umno Youth and Puteri members have an important role in the party, particularly to ensure its survival.
“Stop asking for positions, contracts and titles. Do not be swayed by the glitter and rewards that come with power just because we are currently part of the government,” he said when opening Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri meetings last night.
He said the younger factions of the party should instead come forward and offer their leadership and work for Umno in any way possible.
“You have knowledge that many of us do not possess, new ways of thinking which we do not have the grasp of, the skills that you have, we do not have. Use that for the betterment of the party,” he said.
On “women power”, Mohamad acknowledged that the women in the party were the most hardworking and diligent, who talked less but were the most effective.
“If Umno wants to come back strong and powerful, mobilising our women members to attract voters, particularly the women, is crucial.
“To the Wanita wing, I place my high hopes on you to lead the way in Umno’s recovery,” he said.
Mohamad cited the just concluded Turkiye elections where women voters had played a role in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s victory.
He said polls analysis indicated that women voters had supported Erdogan as they wanted a guarantee of stability, continuity and prosperity for their families and society.
“The number of young women voters is big. They must be our target for support and later on as members of our Wanita and Puteri movements.
“I believe Umno can recover faster if we can attract more women voters to support us,” Mohamad added.
He also assured the wings’ members that while Umno needed to steer away from narrow-minded politics, it remained steadfast in its struggle for the Malays and Islam.
“It is in our DNA. Just because our political path is different, we are accused of abandoning these causes. This will never happen,” he assured them.
Umno, said Mohamad, would continue to fight for Islam and the Malays in a more moderate framework that appreciated and celebrated Malaysia’s diversity.
“Put an end to all doubts on our stand on these issues,” he said.
