KUALA LUMPUR: The race for the Puteri Umno chief post is shaping up to be an intense battle with the party's supreme council member Datuk Khaidirah Abu Zahar, or Dira, throwing her hat into the ring.
"InsyaAllah (God willing). I want to offer myself as a candidate (to contest for the Puteri Umno chief post).
"However, let me sort out several management matters before I can elaborate further on my interest (to contest for the position)," actress Khaidirah, who is also Rim assemblyman, said briefly to the New Straits Times today.
Other party leaders who have announced their interest to contest the post include the wing's current secretary Nurul Hazwani Haslan and Lembah Pantai division Puteri Umno chief Dr Masliha Harun.
Also expected to contest for the post is Puteri Umno exco member Fadwah Anuwar.
Current chief Datuk Zahida Zarikh Khan has been ruled out of the race as she has exceeded the age limit.
In an interview with a Malay daily, Khaidirah had said she decided to offer herself as a candidate for the position as she wanted to return the wing's "aura" and put some "teeth" into the Puteri Umno movement.
She said she wanted to make the wing representative of the voice of the people as well as turning it into the main political platform among the younger generation.
"I began (my political career) in Puteri (Umno). And this is my last term before I turn 40.
"We want to intensify our efforts to champion issues affecting the younger generation. I want to make Puteri Umno a point of reference for the government on issues affecting the youth.
"I want to strengthen Puteri Umno and take out the wing from the stigma of being the 'adik bongsu' (youngest child) and 'lemah lembut' (weak and gentle)," said Khaidirah, who will turn 39 next month.
Khaidirah, who is also the Melaka assembly deputy speaker, said Puteri Umno has a lot of potential to progress in the country's political landscape.
Such potential, she said, requires a new approach in order for it to be unlocked.