Wanita Umno head Shahrizat Abdul Jalil played the race card in her address to the wing’s general assembly, warning that Malays are in danger of becoming “refugees in our own land” if they do not unite to retain political power.

 

NONE Among the challenges Umno faces in the next general election is the  safeguarding of Malay power, which is in a perilous position ( bagai telur di hujung tanduk ), Shahrizat told the delegates.

                

“We must address this now if we don’t want to be refugees in our own land. A split in the Malay vote would dull the political power of the Malays,” she said.

 

“As it is, economic power lies in the hands of non-Malays. Are we willing to lose political power too? If Umno is weak, the risks will be felt by all other ethnic groups.

 

“If Malays unite and form a strong backbone for the elected government, especially with a two-thirds parliamentary majority, then, God willing, all races and all layers of society will gain from the political stability.”

 

Lack of time

Sharizat skipped most of her speech and asked the 979 delegates present to read its text, citing lack of time.

In a copy distributed to the media, she expressed concerns that a racial riot could occur if Umno became weak and could not overcome its challenges.

"If we are no longer in power, we would lose political stability. Certainly, the Malays, the majority in this country, would be unsettled.

NONE "I am concerned and worried that this would bring racial tensions that could lead to a repeat of the May 13, 1969 tragedy," she said, urging delegates to overcome the challenges.

The other challenges include facing eroding non-Malay support for Umno, religious issues raised by PAS, increase support from young voters, and maintain Umno's relevance as a Malay party.

On the lack of non-Malay support, she said this had caused problems in mixed constituencies.

"To face the next general election, we need to overcome this problem and I ask Wanita Umno to close ties and work on our inter-racial relations.

"Can promise or not? We must because they are Malaysian citizens too," she said.

In her speech, Sharizat pledged that as long as she is Wanita chief, she would ensure that the women's wing would field more candidates at the general election.

"Don't you dare think that Wanita is only eligible to be part of the party machinery and not as candidates," she said.

She concluded her speech by urging all delegates to stand up and pledge loyalty to Umno president Najib Abdul Razak, as she drummed up the delegate's spirits with a poem in Malay.

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