KUALA LUMPUR: All Umno leaders and members have been urged to take inspiration from Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad and Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who have set aside their past differences and united for the development and survival of the party.
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Wanita Umno chief and her predecessor had reconciled their differences when both leaders "closed their old books and embarked on a new political chapter" for the betterment of the wing.
The Umno president said he was told that both women leaders have "cium mulut", which is a Malay saying that means making amends.
"That was the report that I received. What I meant is that both women leaders have decided to close their old books and embark on a new chapter to bring the Wanita Umno movement forward.
"The spirit displayed by Datuk Seri Noraini and Tan Sri Shahrizat should be emulated by all Wanita Umno leaders and members of Wanita Umno around the country," Zahid said in his winding up speech at the 2023 Umno general assembly.
During the party's election, which concluded in March this year, Noraini engaged in a straight fight against Shahrizat in her bid to defend her Wanita Umno chief post.
The polls ended with the Parit Sulong member of parliament retaining her post.
Earlier, Zahid congratulated Shahrizat for her role in the Women and Family Affairs Council (Hawa), which was launched during the four-day assembly.
"Hawa is a game changer which should be supported by all Umno divisions and branches around the country. The setting-up of Hawa will by no means clash with the role played by Wanita Umno.
"There is no competition between Hawa and Wanita Umno. Why I say this is because I equally care for Kak Ijat (Shahrizat) and Kak Ani (Noraini).
"And I do not want these two women figures to clash against each other in any political field," said Zahid.