Puteri Umno eyes three to five seats in Melaka polls

 

Puteri Umno chief Datuk Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi (seated, centre) with wing leaders at a press conference today. NSTP/RAIHANA MANSOR

KUALA LUMPUR: Puteri Umno hopes to be given the opportunity to contest in the upcoming Melaka state election.

Puteri Umno chief Datuk Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi said the wing had no fixed target for the number of seats but would welcome the opportunity to contest if given the chance.

"If you ask us how many seats we hope to contest, we would be grateful to be given the opportunity to contest between three and five seats, but we leave the decision to the party leadership," she told reporters after chairing a Puteri Umno meeting today.

She said Puteri Umno should not be overlooked when the party finalises its candidates, citing the wing's participation in the Negri Sembilan state election as an example.

"Even though Barisan Nasional did not contest all the seats in the Negri Sembilan election, Puteri still had a candidate."

In the Negri Sembilan election, Rasah Umno division Puteri chief Siti Nur Umaira Hasim won the Labu seat with 14,209 votes in a three-cornered contest against Pakatan Harapan candidate Datuk Ahmad Faez Abdul Razak and Bersatu's incumbent Mohamad Hanifah Abu Baker.

Asked whether Puteri Umno already had names in mind or was eyeing specific seats, Nurul Amal said it was too early to disclose any names or constituencies, as the party would first need to assess the political landscape and its plans for the election.

"We cannot say where yet. Even for the seats that may be contested, given the current political situation, we need to look at the plans going forward first.

"Only then can we determine which seats would be suitable for Puteri candidates," she said.

Meanwhile, ahead of the Umno general assembly, which will be held from Sept 9 to 12, Nurul Amal said Puteri Umno would use the occasion to mark its 25th anniversary while highlighting the wing's growing maturity and role in the party.

"Puteri is Umno's young women's wing. When we talk about women's participation in Malaysian politics, we often refer to the 30 per cent target, but sometimes overlook young women.

"We hope this will no longer be just a talking point, but become a priority for the party so that the voices of young women can be better represented," she said. - NST