(Updated 8:33pm; 25 March 2009)
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 March 2009: The Wanita Umno general assembly today approved a motion calling for the automatic appointment of the movement’s chief as minister.
The motion, tabled by the Kangar, Besut, Bagan Serai and Kuala Terengganu Wanita Umno divisions, was approved without a debate.
Meanwhile, when debating the Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz’s keynote address, Bagan Serai Wanita Umno chief Asmah Ramli proposed that 30% of ministerial and deputy ministerial posts be allocated to women.
She said that at the moment only two of 30 ministerial posts and three of 37 deputy ministerial posts were given to women despite the fact that women formed the largest of Umno membership.
Asmah also called on the government to take stern action on anyone who defied the ruler and insulted the institution of constitutional monarchy.
Titiwangsa Wanita Umno chief Khadijah Alang Ibrahim wants more women to be appointed to lead government-linked companies (GLCs) to fulfil the government’s vision of achieving 30 per cent women participation in the corporate sector.
“Women’s involvement in GLCs is still negligible,” she said, adding that they were as capable as their male counterparts in leading the GLCs.
Umno has about 1.4 million women members.
Khadijah also called for a fairer distribution of allocation to women entrepreneurs under the second stimulus package.
At this juncture, incoming Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak appeared at the assembly venue and listened to the debate.
This prompted Wanita Umno permanent chairperson Tan Sri Napsiah Omar to interject and said, “that is for sure because he (Najib) is nodding in agreement” – to the applause of the delegates.
Najib stayed at the assembly hall until after Khadijah finished her speech.
Sabah Wanita Umno delegate Datuk Jainab Datuk Seri Panglima Ahmad said the Sabah Development Corridor launched last year would position Sabah as a strategic investment destination in the Asian region.
“The Sabah people appreciate the commitment shown by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in bringing progress to Sabah,” she said when debating the political motion at the movement’s general assembly.
Jainab, the state Assistant Minister of Industrial Development, said since Datuk Seri Musa Aman took over the post of chief minister, the state achieved much progress due to his hands-on approach to development programmes.
Meanwhile, debating the religious and social issues, Kuantan Wanita Umno vice-chief Khadijah Abdullah called on the Information Ministry to implement the dress code for artistes when appearing on television.
“The code of ethics is there but it should be enforced,” she said.
She also said that the dress code was important to help check social problems among the young which could be attributed in some ways to artistes, especially women, wearing improper attire.
She also called on the Islamic councils in states to carry out patrols together with police in areas where immoral activities were taking place. — Bernama
