Citing Kiwi PM, Noraini blasts 'weak' Harapan

Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad drew a comparison between the "weak" administration of Pakatan Harapan and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden.

In her policy speech at the Wanita Umno general assembly at Putra World Trade Centre today, she also praised how the first-time New Zealand leader dealt with random shootings at two mosques in Christchurch on March 15.

"Our government gives various excuses. Everything is BN's fault but they themselves don't know how to govern,” she said.

"I want to compare with Arden, a leader I admire. In the past two years, she created 92,000 employment opportunities and brought the unemployment rate to a 11-year low.

"She increased the household income and allocation for schools so families don't have to pay for children's school fees," said Noraini, adding that Arden dealt with the shooting at the mosques, where one Malaysian was killed, by banning semi-automatic weapons.

The New Zeland prime minister visited the Muslim community involved in the incident and pledged not to name the shooter, said Noraini, who is also Parit Sulong MP.

The Wanita chief then took Pakatan Harapan to task for its weaknesses, which led to the ashes of former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Ping repatriated to Malaysia and the recent controversy over the Jalur Gemilang.

"Look at what happened in our country. The weak administration caused some quarters to take advantage and stir chaos by bringing back the ashes of a communist leader," Noraini told the more than 900 delegates present. 

"The same happened to the Jalur Gemilang. Some changed the colour to black and white, some flags were upside-down and the latest incident involved a five-pointed flag," she said.

"How can this happen? To what extent should we compromise and bear such a  humiliation? We need to put a stop to it. We want the government to be firm. Apologies are not enough."

While noting that BN won with an overwhelming majority in the Tanjung Piai by-election, Noraini pointed out the situation of a general election and by-election are different.

"We should not be so confident following the victory (in the Tanjung Piai by-election). I remember how we won in the Sungai Besar by-election, which was held before GE14.

"Yes, it is true, we won handsomely in by-elections, but we lost in the general election.

"The consensus of the general election and by-election are not the same. The victory we enjoyed could be due to the people wanting to serve a reminder to the Harapan government," she said.

Noraini then outlined strategies for the wing ahead of the next general election, which included strengthening the structure of the Wanita wing and the cooperation with PAS under Muafakat National.

The effort being done included the rebranding of Skuad Sayang and Jalinan Rakyat, which acted as campaign machinery for Umno in rural constituencies in the election.

At a press conference later, she said Umno will bring a resolution to amend the party's constitution to uplift the status of the wing from a mere Wanita movement to Wanita Umno.

The resolution will also uplift the status of the Wanita chief to be on par with the Umno deputy president.

Noraini said this is the new deal offered by Umno to Wanita, the largest wing of the party with a membership of 1.2 million.

Noraini was forced to temporarily stop her speech when the emcee announced the arrival of former Prime Minister Najib Razak (above).

The Wanita members stood up and welcomed the former Umno president passionately with cheers and applause.

The emcee shouted loudly through microphone: "Malu apa?" The members then shouted: "Bossku". - Mkini