KUALA LUMPUR, 25 March 2009: Wanita Umno vice-chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim said the newly-elected Wanita Umno leadership, which comprises a mix of old and new faces, is a reflection of the wishes of the movement’s 1.3 million members.
She also said that the election result was as expected.
“We want the new leadership, either new or old faces, to work together to achieve common objective of empowering women,” she told Bernama.
Kamilia, who won the number two post unopposed, said she and Shahrizat cooperate well.
“We want to continue the struggle but at the same time Wanita also needs a new action plan, especially related to religion,” she said.
In the movement’s election today, Shahrizat defeated incumbent Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz with a 227-vote majority.
Pahang Wanita Umno chief Datuk Maznah Mazlan, who defended her post as a committee member, said that even though there were teams in the movement in the run up to the election, she was confident that efforts to foster unity would consolidate the movement.
Jerlun Wanita Umno chief Datuk Maznah Abd Hamid or better known as the “Iron Lady” is confident that Shahrizat’s willingness to listen to others would be a breath of fresh air in the movement.
She also said that it would be a bonus of there were Wanita leaders appointed to the cabinet but said that it was not a prerequisite for a strong movement.
Maznah also said that the time for Shahrizat to lead the movement had come after being a good vice-chief all this while. — Bernama
