Reinventing Puteri?

Salam semua,

Saya terbaca satu artikel yang cukup menarik di New Straits Times hari ini yang mengupas mengenai kepimpinan Pergerakan Puteri Umno.

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Does Puteri Umno need to reinvent itself?

By Sajahan Abdul Waheed

THE start of a new chapter -- that best describes Puteri Umno's general assembly in December, which would be the first time elections are held for the top two posts in the movement, formed in 2001.

In its first election in 2002, the then pro-tem head Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said was elected unopposed as the movement's head while Datuk Noraini Ahmad, the former secretary, was the deputy.

Two years later, a stiff contest was expected between Noraini and Kedah Puteri Umno head Suraya Yaakob for the leadership while Sabah Puteri Umno head Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin and the movement's secretary Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid would tussle to be deputy.

However, in the end, a compromise was reached with Noraini and Rosnah winning unopposed, Bibi Sharliza was retained as the secretary while Suraya was made the treasurer.

This time around, a keen contest is expected with four candidates going around and checking the situation at the divisional level.

They are Rosnah, Bibi Sharliza, the movement's information head Datuk Shahniza Shamsuddin and its executive council member Datin Ismalina Ismail.

Without the quota system to contest other party posts, one needs only two nominations to contest a post in Puteri Umno.

In the 12th general election, Puteri Umno was allocated two parliamentary seats which it won and eight state seats out of which its candidates won four. In the 2004 general election, Puteri got two parliamentary seats and two state seats.

The general feeling among the grassroots is that Puteri Umno has lost its charm and the movement is said to be less relevant to the political developments surrounding Umno.

Bibi Sharliza, in admitting this, said the spirit of the members was low."Some of us feel that our voice is not heard at the divisional and national level. This is not what we want as Puteri Umno should play an active role in mainstream politics.

"Azalina was a very vocal leader and during her tenure, Puteri was flying high. However, Noraini prefers to play it safe. This could well be a reason why some quarters are not taking our presence seriously."

However, Ismalina has a different view: "It is only those who are outside the movement who feel that Puteri Umno is quiet. Noraini has empowered the divisional and state Puteri chiefs to organise their own programmes and we are conducting many activities on the ground.

"The problem with Puteri Umno is most of us are not known outside and it is rather difficult to get publicity. That is why the perception that Puteri Umno is lying low arises."

Said a Puteri Umno executive council member: "We have been quiet, thus, you cannot feel upset if people say that we are less relevant to today's political situation. "It is partly our fault. The whole movement has to be reinvented from top to bottom.

"Noraini is too quiet. During the last general election, our presence was hardly felt. "

Among the four candidates, Shahniza is said to enjoy good grassroots support. Bibi Sharliza is seen as a vocal and experienced leader while Rosnah has the advantage as the deputy head.

However, some feel that Ismalina cannot be ruled out. Her machinery on the ground is said to be moving very well. This is despite Ismalina only declaring recently her intention to contest the top post while the other three have made it known some time ago.

Looking at Puteri Umno's previous records, when Azalina and Noraini were elected the movement's head, they were not holding any government posts.

Thus, if Puteri Umno members want to retain this trend, Ismalina and Bibi Sharliza would be the choice as Shahniza is the Kuala Penyu assemblyman while Rosnah is the Papar member of parliament.

Some feel that having a leader who is not an elected representative would enable her to be fully committed to the movement.

Bibi Sharliza, a former Paroi assemblyman, said: "In the 2004 election, when I wanted to contest the deputy head post, I was told to concentrate on my constituency. So the same approach must be used now."

The campaign will heat up when the divisions make their nominations for the top posts in October. What is certain is the battle would grow intense and a new record would be created when the new Puteri Umno head is elected in December.