Wanita Umno chief post to be on par with deputy president, says Umno Veep

Umno is expected to amend its constitution to raise the level of its Wanita Umno chief to the same level as the deputy president.

This is to recognise the wing's contribution and commitment in helping to sustain the party, said Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The amendment to the party's constitution will be made during the 2019 Umno General Assembly which will be held from tomorrow until Saturday.

"The post of the Wanita Umno chief will be upgraded to be on the same level as the deputy president. It's a recognition of their roles.

"We cannot deny their roles in any of the works in the party. In fact, they have shown good commitment in meetings.

"When it comes to the election machinery, they performed well although they don't get paid," Ismail told Malaysiakini.

During Umno's election in June last year, Noraini, who is the Parit Sulong MP, defeated the former Wanita vice-president Azizah Mat Dun. The position was earlier left vacant by Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Zahida Zarik Khan was chosen as the Puteri Umno chief.

Explaining further, Ismail, however, said the Wanita Umno chief would not be able to replace the deputy president although they are on the same level.

"Let's say that the deputy president resigns, the Wanita Umno chief cannot replace or become the acting deputy president. The responsibility goes to the party's vice-president," he said.

Meanwhile, asked on the issue where several Umno MPs went to meet the Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali at his residence, Ismail said the issue is over as they had a "heart-to-heart" meeting attended by the party president recently.

"We summoned all the BN MPs and told them what they can and cannot do.

"There was a misunderstanding, but the issue was solved. (We can now) close the book," he said.

It was reported that on Nov 18, more than 20 BN MPs and five from PKR were believed to be at Azmin's official residence at Presint 10, Putrajaya.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had claimed that the Umno MPs who went to Azmin's residence were considering joining other parties after losing faith in their party.

However, some of the MPs had released a joint statement dismissing Mahathir's claims.

"As was stated by the seven BN MPs yesterday, we also refute the claim that Umno leaders have supposedly lost our party and unsure of what to do, whether to jump ship or otherwise. We can confirm, the stand was never made by any BN MPs at any point during the meeting," said the BN MPs.

"In fact, as have been repeatedly stated in the past, we have absolutely no intention of leaving the party, let alone to join another party," they added.

Azmin had insisted that it was a "normal meeting".

"That was a normal meeting. Nothing extraordinary... I take an open approach, whoever wants to meet me, I meet with them. I meet with the people, the business community, MPs whether from PH (Pakatan Harapan) or not from PH.

"Because it is important for a government which is concerned about the people to obtain feedback from the people, from the business community on the acceptance of government policies.

"This is not something extraordinary, which is to be made into a big issue. I meet with various quarters daily," he had said. - Mkini