UMNO: Stabilise party, avoid pitting leaders against one another

KUALA LUMPUR: The leadership of the UMNO wings today agreed that party stability must become the priority, and to ensure no pitting of party leaders against one another.

In the winding up of the Wanita, Youth and Puteri UMNO assemblies today, the leaders also stressed that the decision by the party's top five leaders regarding the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15) should be respected.

Wanita UMNO chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said party members should bridge the gap on their differences and find a common ground.

"I wish to remind everyone, don't ever try to be brave and try to jeopardise the political stability in UMNO," she said.

Noraini also said that Wanita UMNO will fight for the participation of women in policy formulation until it reaches the minimum target of 30 per cent.

Noraini said Wanita UMNO would ask for more women to be fielded in GE15.

Meanwhile, UMNO Youth chief Datuk Seri Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the mandate should be given back to the people to create a stable government to drive the nation.

"(UMNO) Youth must also be a fort not only during elections but also to protect the party from attempts to pit party leaders against one another," he said.

Puteri UMNO chief Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan, meanwhile, reminded the wing's delegates to be sincere in their fight to ensure the party would be ready for GE15.

She also told the delegates not to use the political arena for personal gain.

"We, Puteri UMNO, have our own class in our struggles, don't let others say we are fighting for ourselves, we fight for the party and country.

"We sit here today as party members, telling the grassroots that we are sincere in wanting to fight, but don't let it be just empty talk, we are not like that," she said.

She said Puteri UMNO also should enhance togetherness among members so that the party would continue to be strong and, thus, avoid sentiments of hatred in the party.

She said a strong bond of togetherness could deflect any political games outside the party that could weaken UMNO.

-- BERNAMA