Question: You have been Umno Puteri chief for over a year. What changes have you brought?Answer: The first thing I did was to increase the number of training programmes. It is imperative for leaders to have a strong sense of self and fighting spirit. We formulated a plan to boost our recruitment drive. These will be carried out through the membership and professional bureaus to create a mixed network of middle-class youth.
Question: Is Puteri a launch pad for Wanita?
Answer: Puteri is a platform for young Malay women to become involved in politics. We also provide checks and balances in Umno. These are our main objectives. We have no need to compete with Wanita or Pemuda. Therefore, I do not agree with the assumption that Puteri is a launch pad for Wanita.
Question: Some accuse Puteri of not doing enough as an Umno wing to represent the struggles of young Malaysian women. What is your take on this?
Answer: Puteri is not a promotional entity; the movement is more content to work behind the scenes. We will continue to educate the younger generation on the importance of participating. I want Puteri to emulate other parties which rarely organise programmes but the ones they do have great impact.
Question: How does Puteri plan to improve its relevancy and win support from the youth?
Answer: Puteri will continue to educate and create awareness. Increasing membership is done continuously. I also want to criticise Umno members who fail to register their family members as party members and continue to be indifferent to the party’s plight. This kind of attitude makes Umno unapproachable and unappealing to youth.
Question: How is Puteri going to counter the opposition’s use of new media?
Answer: I don’t believe the opposition has been successful in waging a “cyberwar”. If we look at Umno’s “cybertroopers”, we see, too, that they are strong and successful.