KOTA KINABALU: Umno Wanita should be given 30 per cent of the seats allocated to the party in the next election. Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it is time to recognise the women’s wing, which forms the backbone of the party.

“Umno Wanita has been doing a good job (and) we need to appreciate their contributions.

“I will talk to Umno president (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) and Sabah Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Musa Aman to give (their members more) chances to become candidates,” he said during the launch of Sabah Umno Wanita’s Information and Media Squad at Tabung Haji hotel here.

Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the squad is essential to helping deliver accurate information from reliable sources to grassroots supporters.

“The public have been flooded with half-truths which have affected the party and its performance in past elections.

“We used to be defensive, (but our) approach should be different now, with help from the newly-launched squad,” Zahid said, adding that 1,000 Wanita members will form the squad.

Earlier, Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the movement should not rest on its laurels, after getting recognition from the party. “We have to earn (Umno’s appreciation) by continuing to do our part.

“The media squad will become the ears and eyes of the party and government,” Shahrizat added.

Also present were Musa, who is also Sabah Chief Minister, Wanita vice-chief Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun and Sabah Wanita Umno leader, Datuk Armani Mahiruddin.

-New Straits Times