Puteri Umno not baby elephants, says delegate
Peeved about being described in unflattering labels like "baby elephants", Puteri Umno delegate Nazliah Ali told its detractors that its young women should not be judged by their appearance but by their talent.
Referring to the May 31 Teluk Intan by-election where people commented on the looks of DAP candidate Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud and made comparisons with Puteri members, Nazliah said such things should not have happened.
"Recently, there were shallow write-ups discussing the sizes of Puteri members. Size should not be used as comparison, look at this hall, not everyone is baby elephant," she said while debating on party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak's policy speech at the Umno general assembly today.
The wing is said to be a pale shadow of what it was when it was first set up in 2001 and led by its first chief, the dynamic and aggressive Datuk Azalina Othman Said.
During its early days, its members were known for both their looks and ability to woo the younger electorate but now there are apparently jokes about "heavyweights" in the wing.
Nazliah said only some elected representatives were gentlemen enough to criticise such discriminatory labels being tagged to the wing's members.
"I want to ask where are the real men who are supposed to fight for solidarity in Umno?" asked the wing's assistant treasurer.
Her question prompted Speaker Tan Sri Badruddin Amiruldin to quip: "What is Umno Youth doing? Puteri Umno is disturbed, and you all keep quiet."
Nazliah was also upset over suggestions that Puteri should invite Dyana, who she did not name but described as "YB keempunan" to join the movement.
"Are we that bankrupt of quality members? We have doctors and other professionals among us.
"If politicking includes waist sizes, might as well close down Puteri, set up a new wing, a Kebaya Queen wing.”
The Sabah delegate reminded those present that being young did not necessarily equate to having a youthful spirit, while being old did not denote having an old soul.
"What we need is the synergy and close cooperation between the young and old," she said and repeatedly stressed the importance of solidarity among all party members.
She added that the movement would not demand for government posts or positions in government-linked companies, but instead only wanted the party to recognise the talent of its members and help to polish them so that they can contribute to party and nation. – November 27, 2014.
