Noraini oh Noraini!

I am sure many have heard of Datuk Noraini Ahmad. For those who have not, a quick update. Datuk Noraini Ahmad is Head of Puteri UMNO Malaysia. The position of Puteri UMNO chief is equivalent to the vice presidents. So in UMNO AGM, she would sit in the front row, together with the President, Deputy President, VPs, Wanita Chief, UMNO Youth Chief, Sec-Gen, Tresurer General and Information Chief. So her position is very senior in UMNO's hierarchy.

In the recent GE, she contested and won the Parit Sulong Parliamentary seat, replacing an acquaintance of mine, Syed Hood Edros. And was duly appointed as the Deputy Minister of Human Resource - shadowing the only MIC rep in the cabinet. Her appointment did raise some question marks - her being a first term MP. and also her performance as Puteri UMNO Chief has been mediocre as political observers would say, for her to be rewarded handsomely. In truth, she had big shoes to fill. Her predesessor, Dato Azalina Othman Said did an excellent job in setting up and attracting young malay ladies to join Puteri UMNO. (whatever stories we have heard about Azalina, let's be objective. credit is given where credit is due.) Her combative style has won her admirers, as well as 'enemies'. So unlucky for Noraini, comparison is always made to Azalina. Put them side by side, Azalina is way ahead in terms of leadership, maturity and eloquency. So her appointment may be a reward to younger generation, a voice for the young in the new administration, rather than for her personal achievement. Whatever it is, let's hope she would be able to articulate the aspiration of the young and carry that responsibility effectively.

Last week the issue of postponing UMNO's election came up. UMNO leaders, including her, gave their opinions. Some said yes, and some said no to the postponement. She however said both. Doing a complete one-eighty, all within 4 hours. (check out: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Frontpage/20080326195716/Article/index_html) Flip-flopping on this important issue further fuels the case whether she is suited for high office. Whether she has the political maturity and charisma to assist the BN government in winning back the hearts and minds of the rakyat, especially the younger generation.

And today, she gave her opinion on the proposed abolishment of the quota system in UMNO. This is what she said in Utusan Malaysia.

(Ketua Puteri UMNO, Datuk Noraini Ahmad berkata, pelaksanaan sistem kuota mampu memastikan tiada individu yang tidak memiliki sokongan kuat di akar umbi cuba menentang presiden. “Jika seseorang itu mampu melepasi kuota yang ditetapkan, maka barulah dia seorang yang memiliki kredibiliti tinggi dan layak untuk mencabar presiden,” katanya ketika dihubungi di sini hari ini.
Tambah beliau, jawatan Presiden UMNO perlu dilihat dalam perspektif yang luas iaitu individu yang memegang jawatan itu akan turut menjadi Perdana Menteri.
Situasi itu kata beliau menjadikan jawatan Presiden UMNO hanya boleh dipegang oleh seseorang yang benar-benar berwibawa dan mendapat sokongan secara menyeluruh.)

I am sorry, Datuk. I disagree. Even if a person gets the necessary nominations as per the quota, he/she would not and could not win any contest without the necessary grassroot support - be it for the presidency or even as Puteri UMNO chief. So the issue of imposing a quota in the first place, as mentioned by you, is irrelevant. I wonder whether Puteri UMNO members feel the same as you, Datuk. The quota system must go. Now. I hope you will continuously engage the young. Channel our ideas. Be our voice. We dont need another yes-man (or yes-lady) in the government. We have plenty already.