PETALING JAYA: Incumbent Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad has thrown her hat into the ring to defend her post in what she describes as a “mother-daughter friendly match” against her contender, Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
The Parit Sulong MP said the decision to defend her post should not be misconstrued as her going up against her mentor.
“I may not be loud, but I have proven I bring results that matter.
“Umno is not just a political party. It is a force that is being watched by everyone in the country, not only by Umno members.
“Everyone looks at Umno polls as the party matters in the political landscape,” she said after filing her papers.
Noraini said that due to Umno’s role, members must choose its party leaders wisely.
“Who we choose to lead the party is important to the nation, especially the Malays. Umno has gone through so much. Let’s choose wisely,” she said.
Describing her work for the movement as “not done”, Noraini said she has been asked to stay on by the grassroots.
In what is already seen as the most crowded party polls this round, Noraini will be going head-to-head against the person who handpicked her for the post in 2018.
Shahrizat, a former Wanita Umno chief and minister, confirmed her candidacy on Feb 17 in what is seen as an attempt to make a political comeback.
She had stepped down due to being linked with the National Feedlot Corporation scandal, which implicated her husband then.
Umno is in the midst of its internal elections for the 191 divisions and 22,000 branches, including the divisions that were suspended.
The party’s new office bearers will be elected from Feb 1 to March 18, but the positions of president and deputy president will not be contested this time around.
In May last year, Umno amended its constitution to allow party polls to be held within six months after the conclusion of the 15th General Election.
Umno had postponed its party elections for 18 months after the 2018/2021 term ended on June 30, 2021, which meant party polls for the 2021/2023 term should have been held before Dec 30 last year.However, the polls were postponed.
