‘Draw up checklist of promises’
ECONOMIC CLIMATE: Make sure all are fulfilled before elections, says delegate
BREAD and butter issues took centre stage as Umno delegates called on the party to solve them, which, if prolonged, could adversely affect the people’s perception of the government.
Taking the lead as members debated the president’s policy speech was Malacca Umno delegate Mustafa Musa, who listed the promises the party had made in the previous general election but had yet to meet.
He suggested that a checklist be created and told the government to make sure the promises were fulfilled before the next general election.
“There was a plan to build a hall but we have not even seen the roof.
“The ground-breaking ceremony was for a school, but the land was somehow turned into an agricultural plot.
“It is important for us to keep our promises. Time is running out,’” he said, adding that the party should also look into issues that had a direct impact on the public, including the increasing cost of living.
The party, he said, must tackle the impact the economic climate had on those in the Bottom-40 (B40) group.
“Issues like the Goods and Services Tax, removal of subsidies, unemployment, fuel and toll price hikes are among areas that are affecting them, and these issues must be addressed wisely.
“If they are not addressed soon, they will increase the party’s and the government’s burden.
“We are also facing many pressing matters, including the need to fight the opposition, who are poisoning people’s minds with their relentless slander.
“(Because of this), the people have begun questioning our caliber and credibility, and some doubt our actions and explanations,” he said when debating the motion to support the president’s policy speech, which was proposed by Kedah Umno Information chief Datuk Wira Othman Abdul.
Maran Umno deputy division chief Datuk Shahaniza Shamsuddin, who seconded the motion, raised an issue that was of grave concern to Felda settlers.
Umno, she said, must look into the purchasing of oil palm as the settlers had registered their dismay at delayed payments, sometimes by three to four weeks.
“Felda must find a way to rectify this issue swiftly so that payments for oil palm can be made immediately.
“Felda should also look into its replanting loan, which has not been updated and is burdensome,” she said, adding that Felda settlers were hard hit by the rising cost of living.
She said that it was ironic that Felda settlements were badly hit by the cooking oil shortage, when Felda was among the largest producers of palm oil in the world.
“We cannot be made a laughing stock. We have so many oil palms, but do not have enough cooking oil,” she said.
“This a problem that cannot recur as it is hurting the people.”
Negri Sembilan Wanita Umno chief Datuk Norhayati Omar said the wing would continue helping the party president and government in solving people’s problems, which were becoming increasingly complex.
She said Wanita Umno had never betrayed the party leadership and would work hard to ensure that the party secured a bigger win in the next general election.
During the debates, delegates called on Umno to reject any form of foreign intervention.
Mustafa said: “The meddling of foreign entities has translated into street demonstrations that could jeopardise our peace and prosperity. This is our country, so let us decide our future.
“We also do not want these traitors to destroy our national transformation agenda Transformasi Negara 50 (TN50).”
The debate on the policy speech continues today. Wanita Umno chief receiving a standing ovation from party members in recognition of the wing’s accomplishments at the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Pic by Effendy Rashid
The movement’s chief said the tribute meant a lot to Wanita Umno members.
This was especially when it came from the party president’s address at Umno’s annual general assembly.
Shahrizat said Wanita, which had been working hard, deserved the praise and standing ovation.
“I thank our president for the standing ovation to Wanita. It was the first time such a high accolade was given by an Umno president to honour our contributions to the party and country,” she said.
The accolade was meaningful to the movement and was a historic moment, added Shahrizat.