KUALA LUMPUR: Puteri Umno is questioning why its members are being sidelined as candidates in elections.
Its chief, Datuk Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi, said every year the Umno general assembly will discuss the 30% women's involvement in leadership and politics, yet in reality, it hasn’t happened in the party.
"Promises are made again and again, but still, we fall short.
"This reflects the experience of all women in Umno, including our sisters in Wanita Umno, who have remained loyal in the struggle, without exception.
"When a Puteri candidate is considered, they must meet all sorts of requirements.
"But when it comes to male candidates, losing a deposit doesn’t even matter!" she said in her policy speech to thunderous applause from the floor at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here on Thursday (Jan 15).
She questioned the top party leadership on how long the wing will be sidelined.
"Where are the Puteri candidates? How long must we beg? Why are we still being discriminated against? What more do we need to give to the party?" she said.
She said that Puteri Umno members are constantly underestimated, with their struggles taken lightly and their requests often ignored.
"In every situation, we will just yield, holding back frustration after frustration. But until when?," she asked.
She said this was the era of the youth, and all opportunities must be equal.
"Yet if the party hesitates to give space to young women, we are straying from Umno’s progressive tradition. This is our time," she said.
