Umno has started preparing for GE14, touted as the ‘mother of all elections’. In an exclusive interview with the New Straits Times Press, Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil briefs on the preparations by the wing to face GE14, as well as rumours about her candidacy
Question: How prepared is Wanita Umno for the 14th General Election (GE14)?
Answer: Our president, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, for the longest time, has impressed upon party wings, including the Wanita movement, on the importance of making early preparations since we are going to “war”, so to speak.
And, Wanita Umno is ready to face GE14. We have started beefing up our election machinery and we went to the ground shortly after the conclusion of the previous general election in 2013.
The preparation made by Wanita Umno takes on various forms since you cannot go to war unprepared. Having said that, the movement is only waiting for the time for the election to be called.
Q: The Barisan Nasional manifesto for GE14 is expected to be unveiled on a large scale soon. Can you share with us the spirit of the manifesto proposed by Wanita Umno to the party’s top leadership?
A: Wanita Umno has been championing greater efforts to improve the status of women as equal partners to their male counterparts in all sectors, and our stance has not changed.
We feel that the government needs to come up with a specific blueprint for women to achieve this aspiration.
Moving forward, the manifesto proposed by the wing to our top leadership is like (proposing to the government) to develop a “highway for women to drive their vehicle into the future”.
Q: Can you explain the meaning behind this?
A: As a government that is pushes for inclusivity, we must be responsible for the progress and development of women.
We must also ensure that the ecosystem in this new world that the nation is gearing towards, for instance the digital economy era, provides equal opportunity for women.
I believe economic empowerment is very important and imperative to enable every woman to have her own wallet.
Economic empowerment and independence will enable women to make decisions regardless of their personal life and career.
I want to see women progress and help them fulfil their multifarious tasks, including being partners in the development of this nation.
Q: Do you think the manifesto reflects the aspiration of more than 15 million registered women voters in the country?
A: No election manifesto is an exhaustive piece of document. The business of the government affords women and other target groups through various transformation agenda and development plan.
Every year, the government will table its annual budget and there will be allocations set aside to boost the economy for women.
The manifesto is a set of our “akujanji” (pledges) for the next five years, which include short- and long-term targets.
However, we must look at the bigger picture of what the BN government is all about.
Apart from the manifesto, there are other things that the BN government will be doing to empower women and I am sure there will be more if, and when, the ruling coalition returns to power.
Q: What is your hope in terms of election candidates among women representing BN in GE14?
A: I want to see deserving women leaders fielded as candidates representing the ruling coalition in the next election. Women candidates must be given fair opportunity.
We are not asking for sympathy, but women who fit the criteria and are potentially winnable candidates must be given due consideration.
There are women leaders who are equally qualified as their male counterparts in Umno.
We must be realistic in meeting the demands of the future.
The party should field more women candidates in GE14 to help the ruling coalition form a strong and effective government.
To us, this is the right thing to do. In today’s world, one organisation is deemed incomplete without the presence and support from women in the top leadership.
Q: Does Wanita Umno set a target on the number of women candidates to be fielded by the party in the next general election?
A: The wing has a target that we want to achieve. However, a political party will be looked up by the community if there are women candidates fielded in any elections.
Q: Can you share with us the composition of women candidates proposed by Wanita Umno for GE14?
A: We have proposed a list containing a mixture of potential candidates from various backgrounds, including professionals, to the party’s top leadership.
All I can reveal for now is Wanita Umno has a “cantik” (beautiful) formula in shortlisting our potential candidates.
Although we have a pool of talented leaders, picking the most suitable candidates to stand in the polls is not easy.
There are many criteria that must be considered by the party president and the top leadership when finalising the list of winnable candidates for GE14.
And the criteria of shortlisting the candidates apply to men and women leaders. However, I hope this will not be a hindrance to the party to field more candidates among women.
Q: How complex is the process of narrowing the right candidates to stand in the election?
A: The process is very meticulous as Umno does not want to field only winnable candidates but also leaders who can carry out their duties diligently for the people.
The process is similar to an old Malay saying, “Ibarat menarik rambut dalam tepung, rambut tidak putus, tepung tidak berselerak” (A complex job that must be done carefully).
We want to win the election, but at the same time, Umno also wants to sustain a positive ecosystem in the party. There are many aspects that must be considered.
Wanita Umno, however, has faith that the party president will make the right choice in determining the best candidates for GE14.
He is an international leader with vast experience on global affairs. He is also a grassroots leader, who feels the pulse of party members and the rakyat.
Q: What is your opinion on views by certain quarters that women candidates are merely fillers?
A: I do not support such a view and Wanita Umno does not subscribe to such a policy.
Women candidates are not contingency plans or fillers for empty spots in the list.
We want to contest because of our capabilities to ensure the party’s victory.
I want to reiterate again that Wanita Umno is not looking for sympathy, but we deserve to stand in GE14.
Q: There are political parties that skip hierarchy when shortlisting candidates for the election. What is Umno’s stand on this?
A: Umno has its set of ethics when determining candidates for any elections. The structure of vetting candidates is very thorough, to conform to party protocols and conventions.
Having said that, I know that the party leadership is brave in making its decision over the
matter.
Q: Do you want to address rumours suggesting that you will be contesting in GE14?
A: I am the Wanita Umno chief, leading more than 1.4 million members registered with the movement.
My priority is to ensure that the wing’s political machinery is in “tip-top” condition and primed for GE14.
Whether I will be a candidate in GE14, it is entirely up to the party president. Because for me, I am in a unique position.
Q: Can you elaborate on that, please?
A: Apart from Wanita Umno chief, I am also the Kepong Umno Wanita head. I was a parachute candidate when I contested in Lembah Pantai (in 1995)… There are extenuating circumstances.
Q: Are you ready to stand in GE14 as a parachute candidate again?
A: Again, it is the prerogative of the party president to decide on the matter. And, my duties as the Wanita Umno chief supersede other considerations, including whether if I will be chosen as a parachute candidate or otherwise.
My main focus is to lead the wing’s election machinery to help BN in GE14, since Wanita Umno is the party backbone.
A landslide victory for BN is my focus and the eventual reward for me.