Puteri Umno division members can nominate any candidate for the wing's top post but only the Umno management committee can decide on their eligibility, said party secretary-general Khalil Yaakob (photo) today.

"In principle, it is okay to nominate (anyone), but when it comes to the rules, the management committee will have to decide later," he told a media conference in Kuala Lumpur.

He added that Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is the management committee chief, will look into the problems plaguing the two-year-old wing.

"He (Abdullah) is likely to call for a meeting soon," said Khalil, who is also information minister.

The wing, helmed by 38-year-old lawyer Azalina Othman Said, is being rocked by an internal crisis in the run-up to its inaugural elections in November.

To date, three Puteri Umno members have submitted their complaints to Khalil on various matters, including the alleged misconduct of the wing's chief.

They have also sought clarification on the age limit to contest as the wing's membership is open to women aged between 18 and 35 only.

One of the complainants, former information chief Mastina Abdul Hamid (photo), questioned Azalina's eligibility to contest since she has passed the stipulated age.

So far, Mastina and another member Raihan Suleiman Palestine, have expressed their desire to contest for the post. They were sacked from the exco line-up by Azalina early this year.

Meanwhile, Khalil elaborated that although competition is not encouraged, it is up to the respective divisions to name their choice.

"In the end, the management committee will decide whether the nominated person can stand for the contest, or may be, the candidate herself would like to pull out ," he added.

End campaigns

In a related development, Bernama quoted Abdullah as saying the issues related to Puteri Umno's upcoming election will be resolved by the management committee in a meeting which will be held in a day or two.

The deputy premier also urged aspiring contenders to end their campaigns."There's no necessity to campaign because I feel they (the aspirants) are already known by Puteri members," he said.

The 165 divisions in Puteri Umo are expected to hold meetings beginning this weekend to nominate candidates to contest for the top post.

Last week, Azalina's former close aide Elly @ Zalilah Mohd Yusof (photo) lodged a report to Khalil, claiming that some members had been issued double memberships.

She also claimed that Azalina abused her position by registering four vehicles belonging to the wing under her brother and girlfriend's names, people with no links to the wing.

Prior to this, she also lodged a police report on the graft accusations and alleged that Azalina is resorting to strong-arm tactics to intimidate her political foes.

In April, Malay tabloid Perdana Sari accused the Puteri Umno chief of sexual misconduct and also charged that she used the wing's funds to purchase a luxury car for her lover.

Azalina was handpicked by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to lead the wing, which was set up to attract young Malay women into the Umno fold.