Shahrizat: Time for Wanita Umno to collect on promises

Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil

AN assertive Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil took to the stage to demand that the party leadership recognise Wanita Umno’s contribution to the party.

“It is time for them (leaders) to respect us. As it is, there are no top posts given. There is a quota for only one woman minister. Big deal. Amboi, amboi (Wow, wow),” she said to rousing cheers from the floor during her policy speech at the Wanita Umno assembly.

The Wanita Umno chief said the wing “would not beg or be belittled” in seeking recognition for its contributions.

She said the wing had always been at the beck and call of the top leadership.

“If we don’t, the party will crumble,” she said.

Shahrizat, a former lawyer, joked that she was not taken in by “sweet talk” and wanted the promises made to Wanita Umno to be kept.

Party vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his opening of the assemblies of the three Umno wings on Tuesday night had promised to “whisper to party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak” about having at least 30% female candidates in the next general election, or “Salam 30” as the petition was described by Shahrizat.

To this, the Wanita delegates responded loudly: “Bisik kuat-kuat (Whisper loudly).”

Shahrizat said the party was facing new challenges, simplified as V (volatility), U (uncertainty), C (complexity) and A (ambiguity).

This meant that the party must stay true to its struggle while adapting to new changes, she said.

For the next general election, she pledged Wanita Umno’s loyalty to Najib.

She took a swipe at those urging Najib to step down, saying that they should quit if they were not happy.

“We respect the presidential institution. This is non-negotiable,” Shahrizat said, singling out Najib as the best leader that she has served under.

His vision as Prime Minister has surpassed that of his predecessors, she said.

She said the issues on 1Malaysia Development Bhd were merely the Opposition’s political ploy to topple Najib and the Government.

Wanita Umno, as the party’s backbone, should not be cowed by such attacks, she said.

Shahrizat also spoke out against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for befriending Opposition leaders whom he once condemned.

Without naming him, Shahrizat said she “had mixed feelings” when she found out that Dr Mahathir bercium mulut (was kissing) with DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

“It was one of the darkest days of my life. I feel so ashamed. We put him on a pedestal for over 20 years, what happened?” she said.

She also called hedge fund billionaire George Soros “the father of all speculators.”

“But he has yet to meet Wanita Umno. As long as Wanita is with Najib, Soros or anyone else will not be able to penetrate our defences,” she said.