KOTA KINABALU: Wanita Umno vice chief Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun said the competition between three candidates vying for the wing’s top position, including herself, is considered a healthy one.
Azizah, who is also Beaufort Member of Parliament, has offered herself to contest in the post following Tan Sri Sharizat Abdul Jalil’s decision not to defend the post which she had held since 2008.
Another candidate who will challenge Azizah is Parit Sulong Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad who is Wanita Umno exco member.
Another challenger is Paya Besar Wanita Umno division chief Tan Sri Dr Siti Zaharah Sulaiman.
“I see this as a healthy encounter as it is being conducted in the spirit of Umno as a big family. Hopefully Umno will stay relevant as a party for the people.
“There are also a few women candidates from Sabah contesting at central level posts, including Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin who will defend her exco and supreme council member positions, as well as Datuk Jainab Ahmad who will defend her exco position,” she said, adding such candidacy will bring the voice of leaders in Sabah to a higher level.
Meanwhile, Sabah Umno Youth vice-chief Shahelmey Yahya said the open contest for the party election this time has encouraged more members to become candidates.
Shahelmey added suggestions on allowing a spot for women representative to become a party vice-president will also ensure active involvement of women especially the young ones in the party.
“I also welcome if one of the vice-president positions is to be given to a representative from Sabah for consistent participation from this state,” he said referring to suggestions by Umno presidential candidate Khairy Jamaluddin to create two more vice president posts to be filled in by a woman and a Sabah candidate.
On May 22, Deputy Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is carrying out the president’s duties, had announced that divisional elections will be held from May 19 until June 10, followed by the wings election tomorrow and the Supreme Council election on June 30.
*List of candidates from Wanita Umno Sabah:
Wanita Chief post:
- Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun
Wanita exco post:
- Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin (defending post, also defending Umno Supreme Council member post)
- Datuk Jainab Ahmad (defending post)
- Silam Wanita Umno chief Mizma Appehdullah
- Sandakan Wanita Umno chief Noraini Sulong
- Beluran Puteri Umno chief Julie Sabran (who has exceeded the age limit for Puteri)
Wanita Umno permanent deputy chairman post:
- Datuk Rosimah Zakaria (Kota Kinabalu Wanita Umno chief)
Puteri Umno Exco post:
- Sipitang Puteri Umno chief Suzie Hamat
- Kota Marudu Puteri Umno chief Sh Lydia Sh Dandan