PUTRAJAYA: The absence of voices from young women in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has caught the attention of Angkatan Bersatu Anak Muda (Armada) chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Armada chief Syed Saddiq raised the matter and asked Bersatu where were the young women in the party.
He said young women gave their all to the party when Bersatu was first formed.
“They are the ones who worked behind the scenes. They spent their own money for the sake of Bersatu.
“Early this year, 15,869 young women and counting have joined Bersatu. This is not a small number. They can become an army. My question is where are they now?
“It has been awhile that we have heard their voices. Have they been sidelined or what?
“They are the ones who helped strengthen Bersatu’s struggles,” said Syed Saddiq in his policy address at Armada’s first general assembly.
He pointed out that Bersatu’s friends in Pakatan Harapan - PKR had a large number of women in its fold, while DAP had young women as members of Parliament and representatives at state assemblies.
“What about Bersatu? We must listen to their voices. I want to ask how many young women from Bersatu were fielded for parliamentary seats during the 14th general election? Zero.
“I want to ask how many young women from Bersatu were candidates for state seats? Zero. Where is Bersatu’s (Yeo) Bee Yin? Where is Bersatu’s Juwairiya (Zulkifli)? Where is Bersatu’s Anis Afida (Mohd Azri)? There is none. Zero,” he said.
Armada, he added, had succeeded in overcoming many challenges.
“True we have our differences. But which family does not have one? This family has good and bad times.
“There are times we fight and quarrel. But this is Armada. We gather on one point with the same understanding.
“This year’s general assembly is a venue for us to uphold Armada’s principles - Unity, Integrity and Pride,” he said.
Syed Saddiq added that the first Armada assembly was a place for the movement to close ranks.
“This is the time for us to gain our introspection and to deliberate. This is the time for us to be better than yesterday.”
As brothers of Armada and Muslims, Syed Saddiq said the members must always remind themselves to be humble and listen to advice.
“Time is wasted, energy is wasted if our hearts are closed and filled with arrogance and prejudice,” he said.