Grassroots take time to warm up to ex-rivals at unity convention

Speaking to a room of more than 3,000 women delegates from 19 government component parties at the Putra World Trade Centre, Wanita Umno head Noraini Ahmad was faced with the challenge of warming them up to the idea of the ruling coalition administration. 

“Who would have thought that I would be able to sit at the same table with (Pakatan Harapan Women chief) Aiman (Atirah Sabu)?” Noraini (above) quipped.

“Tens of years of being political enemies - we have been up against each other in various fields, and have conflicting beliefs and ideologies.

“But today, the atmosphere gives off an extraordinary aura, we now sit at the same table, throw ideas together, work towards our mission and in harmony,” she said.

Women delegates from various parties were assigned to sit with their own parties and coalitions.

It was apparent that BN delegates were warmer towards their own leaders who took the stage earlier, and likewise with Pakatan Harapan delegates with their leaders. 

Taking the stage right after Noraini, Aiman thanked BN-Umno for accepting Harapan - which led to cheers from BN delegates.

In her speech, she told women delegates that the Madani government was designed to be inclusive of women. 

“Every Madani programme must take into account that women are not ‘objects for development’ but active participants in the progress for development,” she said.

Aiman later told reporters that while women were usually the backbone for political party campaigns, they should now be “part of the action”.

At the end of the women’s wing convention, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri led delegates to recite a joint commitment.

The commitment was signed by women’s wing chiefs in attendance and witnessed by BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

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