KUALA LUMPUR – While component parties of the unity government might still feel some awkwardness working with former political rivals, the nation’s betterment and welfare must be prioritised, said Wanita Umno head Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad.
Noting that the inaugural unity government national women’s convention today is a momentous occasion in the country’s political history, Noraini said that while no one could have predicted cooperation between unity government components, the past should be left behind.
“Who would have thought that I could sit with (Wanita Amanah head) Aiman Athirah Sabu and hold discussions with (Wanita DAP head) Chong Eng.
“But, this (unity government) is something that we have started and will continue forever. We are now a gathering loaded with experience and the potential that we have cannot be wasted.
“Now is not the time for us to look for each other’s faults or bring up past tales. We need to focus on making sure that this convention is the starting point to a bigger united agenda,” she said during her speech at the convention.
Noraini’s fiery speech was greeted by rousing cheers from over 3,000 delegates from the women’s wings of 19 parties part of the unity government, with the attendees segregated by party in the hall at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here.
Due to the seating arrangement, a clear divide could be seen among delegates when certain party leaders delivered their speeches. During Noraini’s speech, for instance, cheers and claps could only be seen coming from Umno delegates while the rest of the hall appeared to remain unresponsive.
Meanwhile, Aiman, who is also deputy women, family, and community development minister, said in her speech that since the Malaysia Madani concept aims to comprehensively advance the nation, women should be included in development programmes.
“Every programme introduced should increase the role of women, in line with the principle of gender inclusion, and consider that women are active participants in every process of progress,” she said.
She later told reporters that ongoing works between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional to face upcoming polls in six states are running smoothly, with visits conducted to several states for party members to familiarise themselves with each other.
“There haven’t been any problems with work delegation. No party has wanted more than the other. We are confident with the energy and aura carried by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to face the elections,” she said when approached by reporters.
The convention today also saw the women’s wings’ leaders and delegates making a collective pledge to uphold the betterment of the nation, with the signing of the joint commitment being witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Some of the principles outlined in the vows include a promise to defend the federal constitution by ensuring there is a consensus among Malaysia’s plural society to live in harmony and prosperity.
Other vows include taking the lead in developing the Madani community while implementing women empowerment agendas to ensure women play a role in the nation’s economic growth.
Besides promising to defend women’s rights, the women’s wings pledged to ensure at least 30% of decision-making roles at every level would go to women. – The Vibes, May 14, 2023
