Beaufort sisters LOCK HORNS over Umno posts

KOTA KINABALU - Sibling rivalry is expected to take centre stage at the Beaufort Umno division election this weekend, when a pair of sisters lock horns over the coveted post.

Newly elected Umno Wanita vice-chief, Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun who is the division's outgoing Wanita chief, meets her younger sister, Saridah, who is the division's incumbent Puteri chief. In the fray is the division's acting chief, Isnin Aliasnih.

On paper, Azizah, who was the running mate for Wanita chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, carries the edge with her current post as the Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister and her vast political experience.

However, the much touted three-cornered fight remains an open race for now as talks are rife on the need for a leader who will have more time to spend on the ground.

Both Azizah and Saridah may have helmed the two wing's in the division, but Isnin holds credit as the leader who held the division together after its former chief and former Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin quit Barisan Nasional last year to join the opposition.

Saridah, when contacted yesterday, was unperturbed with the win notched by Azizah last week, but was focused on her campaign to convince members to give her the chance to lead the division.

"I am ready to face the day. I have met almost all the delegates and I believe they all have the maturity and wisdom to choose their leader," she said, adding her experience as the division's Puteri chief for three terms was an advantage, especially in reaching out to the younger generation.

The 40-year-old former lecturer had previously stated that the scenario was a healthy situation that proved Beaufort had capable leaders.

She said all three hopefuls were capable and qualified for the post, but what mattered was whose approach and style became the choice of the members.

"Our goals are the same and that is to make the party stronger and to ensure that BN continues to lead the government."

NST