Wanita Umno's longest-serving chief Rafidah Aziz was all smiles when a delegate delivered a scathing speech, warning any challenger for the wing's top post to back off.

Johor Wanita Umno chief Halimah Sadique, in her motion of thanks for Rafidah's policy speech, warned that some groups were out of destroy the unity of the women's wing.

She said that, at grassroots level, groups were already campaigning for their candidates to be elected to party posts, ahead of their duty to ensure success in the upcoming general election.

"Wanita Umno Johor knows that there are certain quarters trying to take advantage (of the situation) and cause disunity in the movement," she said.

"Our advice to them is this: Don't throw stones and claim ignorance later. Don't stir the hornets' nest. If Wanita Umno goes amok, the consequences from the hornets' sting would be dire."

Although she did not name anyone of wrongdoing, her speech inferred criticism of those behind an apparent attempt to catapult supreme council member Azalina Othman to the helm of the wing.

Azalina is the founding head of Umno's Puteri wing and is currently serving as youth and sports minister. Rafidah, the international trade and industry minister, has headed the women's wing for 19 years.

Media blamed for 'split'

Halimah's speech was received with rapturous applause and cheers from the delegates which prompted her to expand her speech, despite the chairperson's plea for brevity.

"Continue the struggle Dato Seri (Rafidah, photo ). Let's reignite the strength and sacrifices of Umno Wanita to ensure success in the next general election," said Halimah.

"Do not worry Dato Seri. We, 1,303,397 soldiers in red and white, are always with you to show the strength of Umno dulu, kini dan selamanya (then, now and forever)."

Wanita Umno Kubang Kerian division chief Siti Jeliha cautioned against allowing anyone to split loyalty within the wing.

"If there is a split, we will crumble. If this happens, our movement cannot be rebuilt. Thus, we cannot allow anyone room to split the movement," she said.

Perlis delegate Mastika Junaidah Husin blamed the media for its 'speculative reporting', saying this had given rise to notions of an apparent split in Wanita Umno.

"There is a storm in a teacup. Apparently there are certain 'mosquito' media organisations that allegedly obtained inside information that there is a split in Wanita Umno," she claimed.