'First, you kiss the president's hands, then you attack him'

 

Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad slammed those who “kiss the hands” of party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when lobbying for a chance to contest in elections but attack him after losing.

Noting that Umno is currently undergoing “tough times”, the Parit Sulong MP said this is when the party members should stay united to rehabilitate Umno instead of pointing fingers.

She said Umno does not stipulate that the president’s position cannot be changed, but noted it has to be via party elections.

“During election, you go and kiss the president’s hand. After losing, you attack the president,” Noraini said during her speech at the Wanita Umno solidarity event held for Zahid at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.

Certain quarters have stepped up calls for Zahid to quit following Umno’s disastrous outing at the state polls.

Meanwhile, Noraini (above) urged all Umno members to give Zahid a chance to fix the party and elevate its image again.

“These are tough times and the president has a lot to do. We have to remember that (during) the previous term, the president was not part of the government.

“It’s not easy to fix the party after a loss. Give him (Zahid) a chance to fix this party and re-elevate it in the eyes of the rakyat.

“Umno has to do something radical and extraordinary to fix the party’s image,” she said.

The 1,000-strong turnout at the solidarity event bore placards announcing support for the Umno president.

Zahid got a rousing welcome at the event and even boasted about being officially ordained a ‘father’ (ayahanda) by the delegates.