WANITA UMNO ASSEMBLY Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the movement will keep tabs on whether cabinet ministers are ensuring that women are given important appointments in government-linked companies.

 

During her winding-up speech at the Wanita Umno general assembly today, Shahrizat jokingly threatened that ministers who do not comply will not enjoy the support of Wanita Umno in the next party polls.

 

She also claimed that she kept a "black book" on ministers and is monitoring them carefully.

 

Among those in the "book" are Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed and Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

 

The trio are all Umno supreme council members and were at the Wanita Umno assembly as observers.

 

"I have to thank Ismail for giving the post of Tekun (Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga) chairperson to Wanita Umno member Hamidah Osman. However, do not think that giving one post is sufficient.

 

"Similarly, with Tok Pa (Mustapa), he has appointed Wanita Umno's Noraini Ahmad to chair Matrade. She is a suitable candidate to lead the organisation.  

 

"However, Tok Pa you should also give AP's (approved permits to import cars with an excise duty waiver) to Wanita Umno, as at present there is none. Do not be so stingy," she said.

 

'Women perform the haj, too'

 

As for Jamil Khir, who is in charge of Islamic affairs, Shahrizat said that the former should appoint more women to important roles in Tabung Haji.

 

"Now it is being led by a man (Abdul Azeez Rahim). Do you think that only men perform haj?" she asked.

 

"Please give more posts to women. Appoint three females as directors in Tabung Haji. I am giving you a period of two months. This goes to other ministers as well. Please give more roles to women otherwise, we (Wanita) will know what to do in the coming party elections," she said.

 

She also urged Wanita Umno leaders who are already serving in GLCs to do well and do not restrict other women from taking over their positions.

 

Shahrizat was expanding on her earlier policy speech , where she urged the federal government to allow women to play a greater role in GLCs, government agencies and government projects.

 

Work for all women

 

Meanwhile, Shahrizat's winding-up speech also saw her reminding Wanita Umno members to serve all women, regardless of whether they are bumiputera or not.

 

"Our struggle is not limited for the Malays, as our struggle is for all women regardless of their race or religion.

 

"Although we strive to improve the economic livelihood of the bumiputera, our struggle is for all," she told the 955 delegates.

 

She also urged Wanita Umno members to begin preparations for the 14th general election.

 

"We have to return back home and work to win back the hearts of the people. We have to do this, for party president Najib Abdul Razak, who has shown his capabilities of leading the nation," she said.