KUALA LUMPUR: A call to reinvent Wanita Umno is being made to ensure the party wing is able to do more to form stronger, inclusive and well-prepared machinery, says Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad (pic).
The Wanita Umno chief said there was more work to be done even though the party had won by a landslide in the recent Nenggiri by-election.
She reminded the delegates not to revel in the Nenggiri by-election win and emphasised that it is just the beginning for the women’s wing to reinvent itself in Umno, to face more political challenges in the future.
“This is a turning point for us. We must recognise and harness the potential of women’s leadership within the party and the nation.
“We must leverage this strength to empower the party at the nation’s political stage,” she said during the policy speech at the 2024 Umno General Assembly here, Thursday (Aug 22).
On Aug 16, Barisan Nasional officially won the Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan, snatching the seat from PAS with a 3,352 vote majority.
The win secured a third seat for Barisan in state assembly where the majority seats are held by Perikatan Nasional.
At the same time, Noraini said the party needs to change its culture to become more inclusive and appreciate the party wings.
As such, she said Wanita must actively provide opportunities for talented women at all levels of the party.
“We need to invest in leadership development programmes specific to women. The reinvention (of Wanita Umno) would not only strengthen the party but also empower the whole political landscape,” she added.
Noraini also highlighted the trust deficit among not only the public but also Umno members caused by political confusion.
“The deficit of trust for Umno is not a new matter, which we have been facing since the 14th General Election. It was when Umno and Barisan Nasional failed to defend its hold on Putrajaya.
“Therefore, this general assembly must be used as a starting point for us to end the crisis involving the public’s confidence towards the party.
“We must reinvent at the political stage to create a classic tale for the future. A tale of a party rebuilding its power,” she added.
