PAU2016: Wanita determined to continue to be fortress for party - Shahrizat

The Wanita UMNO movement is determined to continue to be the fortress to defend the party no matter in whatever circumstances and challenges they are facing.

Its chief, Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said loyalty was the main pillar of the Wanita's struggles and the principle of wala' (fidelity) which was raised by the party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had been the practice of the wing's movement since UMNO's inception, nearly 70 years ago.

"Wanita is proud that the Wala' principle has become our flesh and blood for sixty-nine years, loyal in defending the party, whatever challenges that come, we never run away," she said in her winding up speech at the 2016 UMNO General Assembly, here today.

Shahrizat also urged the government to speed up the drafting of the proposed Political Donations and Expenditure Act (PDEA).

"Due to this loyalty, we become the fortress to protect our country from foreign intervention, especially in the country's political affairs, through the media, civil movements and the channeling of foreign funds.

"The Wanita urges for the speeding up of the drafting of the PDEA so that those wanting to topple the democratically-elected government can be investigated and brought to justice," she said.

On the 14th General Election (GE14) preparation, Shahrizat said Wanita believed that continuous efforts by the government in addressing the people's issues was among the crucial factors to win the poll.

"The Wanita believe that good economics is the best politics today. The government should always concern about the issues faced by the people (such as) the oil price, employment for the young people, opportunities for women, syariah issues as well as drugs.

"If we put this into our practice ahead of the GE14, trust me, there will be no accusations and slanders that can eliminate the people's trust towards Barisan Nasional (BN)," she said.

Shahrizat also hoped that the government would include Wanita's involvement in formulating the policy of the 2050 National Transformation.

"The Wanita leaders and members today possess the DNA which allows us to carry out duties in helping the president and the party to achieve the national transformation," she said.

In facing the challenging war of the cyber world, Shahrizat said the Wanita MAYA machinery was now becoming the digital warrior for the movement in social media.

"Wanita has also restructured its religious programmes through the establishment of the An-Nur Squad," she said adding that Wanita would be prepared should 30 per cent of its members were selected as BN candidates in the GE14.