UMNO highly appreciates the loyalty and hardwork put in by Wanita UMNO which were considered as among the factors that enabled the party to continue to lead the nation.

UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the movement had demonstrated their determination and hardwork in winning the hearts of the people and had joined the party in facing the various challenges.

"We had faced various challenges, gone through many obstacles and the unity that was developed had enabled the party to overcome the various challenges whether from outside or within UMNO," he said.

He disclosed this in his presidential message contained in the Wanita UMNO Bulletin Jalinan Rakyat distributed in conjunction with the 2016 UMNO General Assembly, here today.

Najib who is also the Prime Minister hoped that the Wanita movement led by Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil would always be strongly united and continue the fight to empower religion, the race and the nation.

UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his message remided party leaders at the divisional level to always be together with the top party leadership in whatever circumstances.

"We have to be courageous in resolving problems faced by the party in order to be successful at whatever level and Insyallah (God willing) we will continue to be victorious," he said.

He also hoped leaders of the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings at the divisional and branch level whether in the urban or rural areas would always go down to meet the people instead of meeting them whenever the top leadership made their visits.

Meanwhile, Shahrizat said an orderly work programme based on the Barisan Nasional Jalinan Rakyat Wanita machinery contributed to the success of the party in the two by-elections namely, the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar polls.

"I have great hopes that the winning momentum in the two by-elections could be continued based on the intensive work programme planned for the looming 14th General Election," she added.

-- BERNAMA