UMNO’S ladies in red are not to be trifled with. Even when speaking on matters to promote the movement’s struggles, members and leaders from Wanita Umno have, more often than not, been seen as intimidating by their audience, because of their fervour.
Save for a few soft-spoken ones, these makcik-makcik garang (ferocious ladies) have also been described as the party’s prime mover, be it in unearthing voters or gearing Barisan Nasional’s election machinery.
“If people say the wing has lost its edge, it can only mean that other wings are suffering much worse,” said Wanita information chief Datuk Rosni Zahari.
Rosni is a staunch Wanita loyalist.
But her views do not easily pacify detractors.
During a meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre yesterday, she was annoyed by the idea that Wanita is tottering from the aftermath of the 13th General Election.
“Who says Wanita is no longer vocal or crumbling on its feet?
“For the longest time, this is the wing that works non-stop for the party,” said Rosni.
Controversy had led Wanita chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to resign from the cabinet.
Wanita’s political clout has been duly affected.
Nevertheless, support and approval for Shahrizat and Wanita were reinstated after she defended her party post with a thumping majority during the Umno polls last year.
But Wanita remained quiet despite the success. They were not seen as a pressure group anymore.
For instance, it was not at the frontline at the start of the use of the word “Allah” issue, despite Islam being one of Umno’s core struggles.
Evidently, the conundrum was even suggested by party deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during an interview not too long ago.
He said Wanita, with the Youth and Puteri wings, should do more to defend issues close to the party as well as national issues.
Muhyiddin’s sentiment was laced with an undercurrent of disappointment.
So, where is Wanita heading for?
The wing is said to have its teeth further dulled after the last election.
Not much of a bite if compared with its performance in the past, even though it was exceptionally active during elections.
Wanita exco member Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, however, believes that the wing has not lost its edge.
“Everything is in place, from programmes to assist single mothers to projects to increase the voting base. But the only thing that can really help our efforts is social media,” said Rosnah.
“I know that Wanita needs to get used to social media to better convey its message.
“Even Datuk Shahrizat has been encouraging us to use our Facebook or Twitter accounts to promote our activities.”
Her opinion might hold water, given that the wing has time and again recognised as the party's backbone.
Rosni, in reiterating Wanita as a force to be reckoned with, provides a detailed example of Wanita's ongoing measures in preparation for polls.
"We have been focusing on Malay-populated areas, based on our experiences during general and by elections. We have appointed a wing member for each area to form a machinery in preparation for the general election.
"The ones in-charge of the machinery will each oversee 30 targeted individuals who are registered voters and of various political affiliations. That is our Jalinan Rakyat programme to help increase party membership."
Still, an X-factor is missing from the ingredient to meet the demands of today's political scenario.
Their presence is not felt in urban areas.
So, it seems that Wanita is still active amid the opinions of critiques. But here is another question which begs to be answered - is Wanita not in danger of having its struggles turning stagnant?
Rosni's answer, to provide a major tweak or further substantiate Wanita struggles is not at all, surprising - she wants Shahrizat to be back in the cabinet.
Shahrizat is currently special adviser to the prime minister on women issues.
"She does not have to hold the same portfolio (Women, Community and Family Development) all over again. Maybe she can have something which looks after the development of young professionals. Datuk Shahrizat is a professional too (she was a lawyer).
"I believe she still has so much to offer. I propose for the prime minister to look into this. Don't you think at the same time, this will give Wanita a better political weight?" said Rosni.
Maybe, maybe not.
With the ongoing political events, it is better for Wanita to focus on politics. Even party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Muhyiddin will be paying more attention to party affairs despite being burdened with government duties.
Perhaps, Wanita, too, despite being proud of its achievements, should find a new niche to reinvent itself.