The Umno management committee today decided that the three potential candidates in Puteri Umno, including current pro tem chief Azalina Othman Said ( photo ), can contest for the wing's top post.

Committee chairperson Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the wing's constitution allows women below the age of 40 to contest for the position.

The person does not have to be a Puteri Umno member, as being an Umno member is sufficient.

Speaking to reporters after chairing the committee's meeting in Putrajaya, Abdullah (

photo ) added that those with overlapping memberships in the women's wing are also eligible to contest.

The meeting was held following complaints which queried Azalina's eligibility to contest since the lawyer-cum-politician is 38 years old, therefore surpassing the Puteri Umno age bracket.

The wing, which is being rocked by an internal crisis, is open to women aged between 18 and 35 years.

"Central committee Puteri chiefs, wanita (women's wing) members, although holding posts, can contest as long as they are Umno members below the age of 40," explained Abdullah who is also Umno deputy president.

He added that in the event candidates from the women's wing win any Puteri Umno position, they must then decide in which wing they wish to remain.

The two who have expressed their desire to contest for the post are Mastina Abdul Hamid and Raihan Suleiman Palestine.

Both were sacked from the wing's exco line-up by Azalina early this year.

Azalina cannot vote

However, Abdullah said that due to her age, Azalina cannot be a delegate or vote at the wing's inaugural election this November as she is no longer a member.

On the other hand, he said that the pro tem committee members at the central level, if chosen as division delegates, can vote in the election.

On the police report lodged against Azalina over several alleged discrepancies in the wing, Abdullah said the matter will be handled by the disciplinary and management board.

He explained that the police report will not affect Azalina's chances of contesting in the election.

The report was lodged by a former close aide of the Puteri Umno chief, Elly@ Zalilah Yusof, last week.

She claimed that Azalina had registered four vehicles belonging to the wing under her brother and her girlfriend's names, both of whom had no links to the wing.

Elly also alleged that Azalina, who was handpicked by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had resorted to strong-arm tactics to intimidate her political foes.

She also lodged a report with Umno secretary-general Khalil Yaakob.

Meanwhile, Abdullah said the management committee will also impose a code of ethics to be observed for the Puteri Umno election.