UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been criticised over remarks about Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad’s appearance and age during the party’s 2026 general assembly.
WARDA Nasional deputy chief Aishah Zain said Zahid’s joke about Noraini looking like “grandmothers” was inappropriate and unbecoming of a senior political leader.
“Being a grandmother is not a shame. Older women have experience and contributions that deserve respect.
“Noraini should be judged on her ability and service, not have her body and age used to belittle her,” she said in a statement today.
Aishah said comments about women’s appearance, particularly when made by senior political figures, could reinforce the idea that women should be judged by their looks rather than their abilities.
“When the appearance of a female leader is made the subject of jokes on a major political stage, we are normalising the idea that women should be judged by their physical appearance.
“The party president should set an example by showing respect to fellow leaders,” she said.
Zahid made the remarks during his winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly, when he joked that Noraini had become thinner and “looked like a grandmother”.
A recording of the speech also showed Zahid telling Noraini to eat more.
The remarks later prompted Zahid’s daughter, Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid, to apologise to Noraini personally if the joke had offended.
Nurulhidayah said she believed her father had intended it as a joke and did not mean to demean anyone.
However, she acknowledged that a person’s appearance or age should not be made the subject of jokes.
Aishah also cited Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 11, which prohibits mocking, insulting or giving offensive nicknames to others.
She said claiming that something was said in jest did not remove the responsibility to be mindful of one’s words and respect another person’s dignity.
While welcoming Nurulhidayah’s apology, Aishah said Zahid should also take responsibility and apologise directly to Noraini.
“Respect for women must be reflected in the words and actions of leaders,” she said.
Aishah added that political differences would not stop her from defending Noraini.
“Political differences do not lessen my responsibility to defend her dignity as a woman,” she said. – September 15, 2026
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