Hot one minute, next you're out

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2496371/Article/index_html

009/03/05
Hot one minute, next you're out


WITH less than three weeks before Puteri Umno's elections, the outcome could be as predicted or it may spring a surprise. The youngest component member of Umno is not spared the intense manoeuvring and jostling for top posts of its older siblings in the party.



A keen fight is expected between the wing's deputy chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin and information head Datuk Shahaniza Shamsuddin for the top post but other contenders cannot be discounted.

Dark horse Ida Rahayu Mohd Nor, for example, has now emerged as a front runner; other lesser-known candidates include executive council member Datin Ismalina Ismail, secretary Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid and Saarah Ali Bashah.

This has prompted one of the candidates to suggest to the rest that they make way for her although she was confident of defeating Ida.

She reasoned this would ensure the votes were not split. Her suggestion received a frosty reception.

Not satisfied, the candidate turned to a former official to get the others to compromise.

But insiders have politely suggested the former official stop interfering.

"Perhaps she is doing it out of concern but reaching compromises should be the work of our current chief (Datuk Noraini Ahmad) and not an outsider," a Puteri Umno executive council member said.

In 2004, Puteri's then head Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said held a compromise meeting that saw Noraini and Rosnah winning the top two posts unopposed after the others withdrew.

"Some saw the compromise as a strategy to ensure that the highlight was on her (Azalina's) departure and not the election of new leaders," said a source.

Noraini has not named her choice but it is widely known that she favours Rosnah as her successor. Ismalina, too, is her choice.

Ida's popularity was evident at the Selangor-level meet-the-delegates session. Her supporters held up banners and when her name was announced, Ida received the loudest cheers while a few candidates were booed.

Ida might be making waves, but a Puteri Umno division chief said the delegates at the March 25 Puteri Umno assembly were likely to favour Rosnah or Shahaniza.

Ida lacks their support.

"The younger delegates might support her but the seniors want someone active in Puteri since its inception in 2001.

"We want a head with a track record and not someone who is just making promises," a source said."

As the deputy, it is natural for Rosnah to move up the hierarchy but she suffers from the perception of lacklustre performance.

Bandar Tun Razak Puteri Umno chief Zauyah Zainudin said that Rosnah would not steal the limelight from Noraini.

"She has done a good job assisting Noraini. That is what we expect from the deputy, not someone who overshadows the leader.

"Rosnah's leadership skills are obvious when heading the international bureau or leading our machinery during the Kuala Terengganu by-election. Furthermore, she is also a two-term member of parliament," the source added.

Shahaniza was a hot favourite earlier but not any more. Ismalina is the underdog but has a proven track record and is known for her strong personality. As for Bibi Sharliza, she is an experienced leader but many feel she has missed the boat.

For the deputy's post, the early favourites were Nolee Ashilin Mohd Radzi and Shahanim Mohamed Yusoff but Haslinda Mohd Zerain is enjoying a late surge. Also contesting are Nordiana Mohd Shafie and Dr Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin.

Nolee and Haslinda are favourites as both will only contest to be deputy. They are not defending their executive council seats unlike the other three.

Said a Puteri Umno division chief: "I salute them (Nolee and Haslinda) for taking the risk. This is a criterion of a leader. The other three show they are desperate for any post and they might end up losing both."