'Racism' blinds Umno to triumphs of young women - Dyana flays Annuar

DAP Youth leader Dyana Sofya Md Daud has accused Umno of suffering from a blind spot with regard to the achievements of young women of other races.

Taking Umno information chief Annuar Musa to task, she said DAP has a history of young women leaders in its fold.

“It is just Umno that is unaware of this,” she added in a statement this afternoon.

Dyana pointed out that the youngest serving assemblyperson in Malaysia is Johor Jaya's representative Low Cai Yung, who is 27.

She also noted that DAP's Subang Jaya assemblyperson and Selangor legislative assembly speaker Hannah Yeoh became the first female speaker in Malaysia at the age of 34.

“This is something that Umno has failed to do despite being in power for 60 years.

“Umno is still entrenched in racial politics because it cannot value the achievements of these young women, simply because they are non-Malays,” she said.

During his speech at a Puteri Umno event last night, Annuar (photo) had singled out Dyana in accusing DAP of “using young Malay women” to garner publicity.

This was echoed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said, who was also present at the event.

Labelling the Umno information chief as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s “chief lackey,” Dyana criticised him for making “unfounded and baseless” allegations.

“Annuar, who is fond of accusing other parties of playing up racial issues, should (instead) take a good look in the mirror,” she said.

Dyana had contested in the by-election for the Teluk Intan parliament seat in 2014 and was defeated by Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong.- Mkini