IPOH, 17 March 2009: Wanita Umno’s main strategy would be to convince fence-sitters to vote for Barisan Nasional (BN) during the Bukit Gantang (Perak) and Bukit Selambau (Kedah) by-elections, said Wanita Umno head Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz.
“If we worked in unity as a team, be organised and strategize our movements and approach, we will certainly have an opportunity to convince fence-sitters to vote for BN because these group will remain open to options.
“We also hope that such people (fence-sitters) realise the need to look at a long term development that only the BN government can offer, especially to overcome the current economic crisis,” she told reporters after a state level and BN national Wanita meeting at the Perak Umno headquarters here today.
Rafidah urged Wanita members to fully converge themselves in efforts to see both BN candidates win the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat and Bukit Selambau state assembly seat, since a win was vital for the party and BN government’s survival.
“We have delegated responsibilities to members, based on their respective locality. Wanita members of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Federal Territory will assist the Bukit Selambau election machinery while the rest of the states will be involved in assisting Bukit Gantang,” she said.
Rafidah said the Umno elections next week would not change or disrupt the unity of the members as the elections are part of a democratic process in any party.
“The election and support for candidates should not be viewed as a crisis in the party because the elections come every three years whether we like it or not.
“And naturally there will be members who support a candidate of their choice but that does not amount to a split in the party,” she said.
Nominations for the two by-elections have been fixed for 29 March while polling date for both the by-elections, held simultaneously, is 7 April. — Bernama
