The power struggle that has kicked off within Wanita Umno stems from dissatisfaction among a number of the wing’s divisional leaders over Wanita chief Noraini Ahmad’s alleged failure to further their cause.
This is according to Kota Melaka Wanita Umno division chief Haryaty Hamdzah, who last week issued a statement calling for a change of leadership at the wing’s top level and advocated for the return of former Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Haryaty claimed many members were disappointed with Noraini (above), a former higher education minister, who they saw as not doing enough to fight for Wanita Umno at the national level.
“As we all know, our party (Umno) has just experienced its worst defeat (in a general election). Party members’ morale is down, they need to be given encouragement to continue doing party work.
“But Noraini has failed to help in empowering and mainstreaming Wanita Umno. During nomination (in the recent general election), only around 11 percent of the seats were given to Wanita.
“Only a small number of Wanita candidates were fielded in the election. Why did we fail to get more?” she asked.
‘No prominence for Wanita Umno members’
Elaborating further, Haryaty also alleged Noraini had not given prominence to Wanita Umno members when the latter was a minister.
She claimed the Parit Sulong MP gave less important posts to female Umno leaders while their male counterparts had the chance to hold more significant and challenging roles.
According to Haryaty, these included opportunities to be on the board of directors in universities nationwide.
“Many of those chosen to be in the boards of directors of universities were male (Umno leaders), the division chiefs. Not the divisions’ Wanita chiefs.
“Instead, she gave Wanita leaders the role of advisers to community colleges. Almost all Wanita division chiefs (who were appointed) were given these empty and non-challenging positions.
“Even the PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation), she put Apli (Yusoff), who is the Kuala Nerus division chief, as the chairperson when he was already holding many other positions at federal agencies.
“So, where is the value of women?” Haryaty asked.
She was referring to Apli, who was appointed to the position on July 18 last year. He replaced Wan Saiful Wan Jan, a Bersatu leader.
Haryaty said Noraini, who held the higher education minister post between 2021 and 2022, should have given more trust to women to lead.
“If she herself did not value Wanita enough, then do not ask why when Wanita no longer supports her.”
Malaysiakini has contacted Noraini’s press aide to seek her response to the allegations.
Possible Shahrizat comeback
On Feb 4, Haryaty reportedly issued a statement calling for a change in Wanita Umno’s leadership.
She claimed that a huge number of Wanita’s divisional leaders now want Shahrizat to make a comeback in the forthcoming party election and lead them.
The claim, however, was disputed by Wanita Umno communications director Rosni Zahari, who also asked the wing members whether they wanted to move forward or take Wanita backwards with Shahrizat.
Asked about Rosni’s claim, Haryaty said the decision to ask Shahrizat to make a comeback was not hers alone but was collectively made by a group of Wanita divisional leaders.
She claimed that out of 147 leaders who met Shahrizat personally since last year, at least 130 of them were known to be supportive of the idea of Shahrizat making a comeback.
Shahrizat, who is a former women, family, and community development minister, helmed Wanita Umno between 2009 and 2018.
The Umno leadership elections are due to be held in March. - Mkini
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