KUALA LUMPUR: Choose a leader who can bring Wanita Umno to greater heights, especially in politics, and has the courage to fight for women's issues, said incumbent chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
In her message to the 110,765 delegates from 19,663 branches nationwide ahead of the polls on Saturday, Shahrizat said it was their responsibility to choose the best leader.
"When you choose your leader, choose a person who is experienced and is brave enough to raise women's issues," she said at a press conference Thursday.
Shahrizat, who is caught in a three-cornered battle for her post, said it was difficult to gauge her chances of retaining the top post.
"I don't think any candidate can say they are truly confident of winning.
"When I go down and meet the grassroots, the support is there and it is sincere. But we cannot take anything for granted, " she said.
Datuk Maznah Mazlan and Raihan Sulaiman Palestine, the daughter of former Umno information chief Sulaiman Ahmad Palestine, are challenging Shahrizat for the top post in the wing on Saturday.
Maznah, an Umno Wanita executive council member, created a stir when she submitted her nomination form through representative Mohamad Baba about 15 minutes before the deadline on Sept 21.
Maznah has denied claims that she was a proxy for former Wanita chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz.
During the press conference, Shahrizat said 62 divisions of the 191 Wanita Umno divisions nationwide had seen its incumbent heads retain their positions without contest.
For the post of deputy Wanita Umno chief, it will be a straight fight between Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun and Wanita exco member Datuk Suraya Yaacob.
A total of 261 candidates filed their papers for 32 seats in the Umno central body and 77 slots in the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings at the Putra World Trade Centre here on Sept 22.
The polling for the three wings will be on Oct 12 and elections for the supreme council on Oct 19.
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