PUTRAJAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) women’s wing Srikandi initially faced threats and challenges in trying to convince women to join it prior to the 14th General Election (GE14), recalled Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun.
The Srikandi chief said that during the wing’s recruitment drive nationwide, it faced multiple challenges such as threats and concerns by women who were concerned over the implication of joining.
“We received many threats but we steeled ourselves to continue with our mission and cause.
“We never gave up despite our initial Srikandi membership drive only netting many men. We recruited 1,000 members but 60 per cent were men.
“When we met women, they said that if they entered Bersatu, their welfare would be affected,” she said.
Rina was speaking during the Srikandi policy speech at Bersatu’s second annual general assembly here today.
She noted that despite the threats and slander, Srikandi members remained united and together until now.
“There were those among us who were offered hundreds of thousands of ringgit, positions and so on, but we rejected them.
“We told (those who offered the inducements) that we are loyal to the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Bersatu chairman and Prime Minister), Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Bersatu president and Home Minister), and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (Bersatu deputy president and Kedah Menteri Besar),” she said.
Rina noted that Bersatu early on also faced the issue of many of its members being political greenhorns with no experience in politics.
She pointed out Srikandi remained strong despite being criticised by Wanita Umno which had a million members, and this proved that the Bersatu women’s wing was capable of being part of the ruling PH coalition.