KUALA LUMPUR, 25 March 2009: Outgoing Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad has reminded members of the movement to elect leaders who are able to bring the movement to greater heights.
“We must choose leaders who are able to restore the people’s confidence in the party and reject immoral leaders who practise money politics,” she said in her keynote address at the Puteri Umno general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre today.
She also called on members “to defend your honour, Puteri’s honour and party’s honour”.
“Don’t tarnish the image and good name of Puteri,” she said in the speech, her final as the movement’s chief.
Noraini, 41, who was on a wheel-chair because she is still recovering from an operation, is no longer eligible to be the movement’s member due to her age.
She is now joining Wanita Umno and is one of the candidates vying for the post of Umno supreme council member.
Noraini also reminded the 789 Puteri delegates to put the party’s interest above self.
The movement’s membership bureau chief, Datin Ismalina Ismail, said Puteri should be brave enough to institute changes to ensure the movement remained relevant to young people.
Information chief Datuk Shahaniza Shamsuddin said the Noraini’s message lifted the spirit of the movement which was facing challenges on various fronts.
For deputy chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, the speech was a reminder to Puteri members not to engage in negative activities such as money politics.
High hopes
Met by reporters later, Noraini said she had high hopes for the movement’s new leadership.
She was also confident that the new line-up would be able to ensure that Puteri would be able to face the challenges ahead.
“That is why in my speech I stressed on the need to face challenges and I feel that the best way to face them is by getting closer to society,” she said.
Noraini said she was happy to note that Puteri candidates were committed to the party’s struggle.
Asked to comment on criticisms that she did little for the movement during her tenure, Noraini said criticisms would always be there irrespective of a person’s performance. — Bernama
