PKR deputy Wanita chief Haniza Talha has hit out at her Wanita chief post rival Fuziah Salleh for calling the wing too weak to make its stand heard. 

She said Wanita PKR had always made its views heard, including in its support for Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister. 

“We were among those who had earlier supported Dr Mahathir as prime minister. 

“We are not afraid to make our stand. Does this mean we are subservient?” she said today.

The Taman Medan assemblyman added the wing had also fought for the 30% women involvement quota, aside from the creation of women-friendly city programmes. 

“Us speaking up for at least 30% women quota; is that a step backwards? Or, is building a woman-friendly city considered as a step towards being subservient? 

“Or are these views dynamic and progressive?” she said. 

Haniza today put her hat in the ring for the post of Wanita PKR chief, and will work with Daroyah Alwi, who is contesting the deputy chief’s post. 

Fuziah, who is former vice-president, is also eyeing her old post, envisioning the return of the struggles and ideals she had once fought for. 

The Kuantan MP said that the present leadership in Wanita PKR was not vocal enough.  

“Now (PKR Wanita) no longer questions; it cannot say no. It should not be afraid to speak up to its leaders. It must be vocal and not subservient. 

“Today, women lack this characteristic. I want to rebuild the Wanita wing once more,” said Fuziah, who held the post between 2007 and 2010. 

Fuziah will work with Rodziah Ismail, who is the Batu Tiga assemblywoman. She is eyeing the deputy chief post.

Rodziah said she chose to work with Fuziah to strengthen the party’s “reformasi” movement. 

Meanwhile, PKR Puteri chief Nurainie Haziqah Shafii said women have to prove themselves in fighting for their rights until they succeed. 

“Wanita Keadilan had issued statements in the form of advice and criticism to the top leaders to ensure the party’s struggles remained clear and are achieved. 

“I have seen it myself; the culture of young women who are not afraid to raise their voices and state their views, thanks to the lessons and instructions by Zuraida Kamaruddin and, until now, Haniza. 

“This healthy practice will be continued so women can become more competitive and open-minded,” she said in a statement. – August 5, 2018.