WOMEN'S WING SEEKS GREATER ROLE IN GOVERNMENT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- Wanita Umno (Women's Wing of the United Malays
National Organisation) chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has called on members of the
movement to fight for a greater role in the government and at the same time, lay
the foundation and "highways" for women to progress further.

Saying she wanted to see members of the movement becoming chief ministers, state
Umno liaison chiefs and other senior posts, Shahrizat pledged that should pursue
the matter and make it a legacy of her leadership in the movement.

"This will be my legacy for Wanita Umno as a whole in this modern and
progressive era," she said.

Speaking amid a rousing applause at the Wanita Umno assembly at Dewan Tun
Hussein Onn, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), here, Shahrizat said she believed
that women could go far under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Razak
provided that women themselves were ready, and provided that the Barisan
Nasional (ruling coalition) won the coming general election.

She told the delegates that she believed that women would achieve much progress
under the leadership of Najib, whom she described as a visionary leader.

"I've been an Umno member for 30 years and I know that there are many among
Wanita Umno members who are talented and have the potentials, if only they are
given the chance," she said, adding that if Umno did not want to be seen as
being outmoded, it should take a look at the political gender issue seriously.

"I'm holding on to the principles that an accurate measure of a civilisation is
how well-entrenched the role of women in the nation-building process.

"I'm determined to fight with you so that there will be a shift in women
empowerment, especially in Wanita Umno, in the country's leadership arena," she
said.

She also pledged to ensure a wider women participation in four critical sectors
namely parliament, state assemblies, state executive councils and local
authorities apart from seeking senior party posts either at the central
leadership or at the state or divisional level, as well as in public and private
sectors.

Shahrizat also called on members to help the movement "spread its leadership
wings" to reach a wider section of the target group, particularly among voters.

She also called on members to remain true to the value system, saying "when we
are keeping quiet, let it not be because we have no idea of what to say, and
when we talk, let the words be sensible so that people will listen, and when we
act, let the action be beneficial to all."

Shahrizat also called on Wanita Umno to prove their worth at the two upcoming
by-elections -- for the Galas state seat in Kelantan and Batu Sapi parliamentary
seat in Sabah.

On Article 153 of the Federal Constitution which touches on the rights of the
Malay and Bumiputera (sons of the soil), Shahrizat said Wanita Umno would not
compromise any attempts to infringe the provision.

"At the same time, Wanita Umno will safeguard the legitimate interests of other
communities as well as defending the special position of the Malay Rulers, and
the special priviliges of the Malay and natives of Sabah and Sarawak," she said.

"Let us not succumb to the thrill of cheap chauvinism; let there be no one
infringing the constitution and the principle of consensus practised in Umno and
Barisan Nasional."

She said that if this was to go on unchecked, it would eat into the very fabric
of the Malaysian society and cause chaos in the country.

"We would then be in enmity with one another, among the Malays and between the
Malays and others... there would be suspicions and hatred because of the
misconceptions that our respective rights were being eroded when in fact the
constitution provided the safeguard for these rights," she said.

On the country's economic transformation programme, Shahrizat said, women should
use their power of intellect and creativity to join in the effort to transform
Malaysia into a developed and high income nation.

"Women are an economic power and an important asset to the country. We can play
a role in making sure the success of the government's transformation programme,"
she said.
-- BERNAMA