KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Umno today reminded the party leadership against fielding women candidates in the Opposition's stronghold seats.
Such a move, said Wanita chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, would only hamper the wing of its bid to increase the number of Barisan Nasional elected representatives to 30 per cent in Parliament.
Shahrizat said that while the wing is pushing for at least a 30 per cent representation of women candidates for BN in the 14th General Election (GE14), fielding them in the 'black areas' would only defeat the purpose.
As such, Shahrizat, who is also BN Wanita wing chief, stressed that it is crucial for women candidates to be fielded in seats where BN has a fair chance of winning.
"Of course we will be happy if the party leadership agrees to increase the number of women candidates to 30 per cent (in GE14), but I must stress that they should be fielded in constituencies where BN has a fair chance of winning," she told a press conference after delivering her opening remarks at the wing's delegates assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
She said the move would only be deemed as as a waste of the wing's winnable candidates chances in GE14.
In the current Parliament term, women parliamentarians make up 24 (10.8 per cent) of the total 222 elected representatives while in the Dewan Negara, women only represent 22 per cent of the total number of senators.
"Of course as politician we need to be ready to be fielded anywhere and not to be afraid of losing.
"However, I must stress to the party leadership, please do not send the women to contest in the opposition stronghold seats," she said.
Shahrizat added that Wanita would even dare to contest in seats currently held by opposition leaders such as DAP's Lim Kit Siang or PKR's Nurul Izzah, should the wing have a suitable candidate.
"Even Nurul Izzah no longer feels confident in re-contesting Lembah Pantai because I was informed that the constituents are upset with her for failing to serve them," he said.
Shahrizat added that the issue of her position in the Cabinet does not arise at the moment as the focus is on ensuring BN's overwhelming victory in GE14.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak pledged that he will push for a Constitution amendment to adopt a 30 per cent quota for women in the Dewan Negara, should BN win with a handsome majority in the GE14, in response to the call by the wing.
Meanwhile, in her opening remarks at the assembly, Shahrizat had told the delegates to adopt a winning mentality in facing GE14.
She told the delegates that GE14 will be a battle to choose between two opposing options – to keep in power Barisan Nasional (BN), a government with a solid track record in developing the country; or to anoint opposition parties led by "Maharaja" (emperor) Lim Kit Siang.
She has urged the people to choose wisely, and to reflect upon how much the BN government has done in looking after the rakyat’s welfare.
"In the next general election, Malaysians will be faced with two choices. On the right is a BN government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who has a clear vision to steer the country to greater heights.
"On the left is the opposition, led by DAP. Will we allow a chauvinistic leadership run the government?" she asked, which was responded by a loud “no” from the 973 delegates on the floor.
Later in her winding up speech, Shahrizat paid tribute to the wing's number two, Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, for being loyal to her and the Wanita movement.
She added that this has enabled her to focus on her duties to uphold the wing's struggles without having to worry about being betrayed.
"The same goes to the party president who has a loyal vice-president who is carrying out the duties of the Umno deputy president truthfully without any funny business.
"I have asked the president on this matter and he said he was happy at having Datuk Seri Zahid (Hamidi) as his nu
mber two, with the assistance of Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
"We pray that Zahid would be rewarded with the deputy president post for his loyalty and dedication in assisting Najib both as party president and prime minister while at the same time, supporting Hishammuddin," she said.
On another note, Shahrizat said the wing would finalise the name of potential candidates from the wing to be recommended to government-linked companies (GLCs) as part of its initiative to achieve the 30 per cent women representation in GLCs, as announced by Najib while tabling the 2018 Budget in October.