Politics

'State Wanita Umno leaders not forced to support Noraini'

KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Umno denied that its leaders at the state-level were forced to support Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad to continue helming the wing.

While describing such an allegation as a lie, the wing's secretary, Datuk Rosni Sohar, said the claim that a certain number of divisions wanting a particular leader to helm the women's wing was also untrue.

"As the Wanita Umno secretary, I would like to emphasise that the accusations are false.

"Most Wanita Umno leaders at the state-level have thrown their support behind Wanita Umno chief (Noraini) and vice-chief Datuk Norliza Rahim to continue leading the wing out of their own free will.

"This is in line with the motion that was passed at the last Umno general assembly," she said today.

On Saturday, Kota Melaka Wanita Umno chief Datuk Haryaty Hamdzah claimed that 147 of the wing's divisions, or more than half of the total number of divisions nationwide, were supporting Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to return as the wing's chief.

There were also reports that Wanita Umno's executive council forced the wing's state committees to support Noraini and Norliza.

Rosni, who is Hulu Bernam assemblyman, said a tabloid had claimed a certain division asked Noraini to step down from her post, while others made false claims about her.

"I hope Wanita Umno will focus on its preparations for the upcoming six state elections. We need to boost our Jalinan Rakyat initiatives in these six states. We must not allow our internal party polls to disrupt preparations for the state elections."

Kinabatangan Umno Wanita division chief Aminah Johan, in her letter to Noraini, asked the latter to clarify her insistence for the wing's current leadership to be retained.

"If this directive is true, it is disappointing and regretful. If this is being done, then the wing's executive council will be seen as dictating the views of leaders at the state-level.

"Give the Wanita Umno grassroots members freedom and give them their right to uphold democracy in electing a capable leader.

"We still support the party president and his deputy because they will ensure the unity government's stability."

On the other hand, Aminah said a contest for the top posts in Wanita Umno would not have any affect in the unity government.

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