The Wanita BN machinery is in "attack" mode and ready for the next general election, Wanita BN chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil declared today.

She said she was impressed by the commitment of Wanita BN members, especially at the grassroots level, and their extraordinary enthusiasm proved that they were indeed the backbone of the BN in facing the election.  

"The opposition is desperate and will do anything to weaken us, but Wanita BN must remain steadfast in the face of all challenges. I do not want Wanita BN to be demoralised by the opposition.

"We, as politicians, must be resistant because we believe in the struggle of our party," she told reporters after a "Jalinan Rakyat" programme of forging closer links with the people organised by Penang Wanita BN at the Tabung Haji complex, Georgetown.

Shahrizat, who is also Wanita Umno chief and women, family and community development minister, said women comprise 51.4 percent of the voters in Penang.    

She said the BN has not given up on Penang and was actively drawing up strategies to win back the state in the next general election.

She also said that last year, the ministry allocated RM64 million for welfare programmes in Penang compared to only RM3.9 million by the DAP-led Penang government.

- Bernama