SARAWAK PKR Wanita has demanded that Fuziah Salleh withdraws her statement calling the women members “pak turut” (mindless followers) under the leadership of Zuraida Kamarruddin, whom Fuziah hopes to replace in the party elections.

The women are also demanding that Fuziah, a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, apologises to the outgoing Wanita chief.

The 59 year-old Fuziah, who is hoping to head the women’s wing again like she did from 2000 to 2007, yesterday said PKR women should not be mindless followers and not be afraid of criticising the leader.

Zuraida, the housing and local government minister, is contesting for a vice-presidency.

“We can understand that Fuziah…  is campaigning for the post but it is a great disappointment that she started her campaign with a personal attack on the leadership of the present women’s chief Zuriada,” Wanita vice-president Voon Shiak Ni said, in Kuching, today.

Voon said the name-calling was “not professional and malicious”.

She said Sarawak Wanita is demanding Fuziah withdraws the statement that tarnishes “not only the women’s wing but the party as a whole”.

“It is not professional, not right nor just and it is not even a fair comment,” Voon said in a media conference.

“I personally took offence at the name-calling as I am not a ‘pak turut’.”

Sarawak PKR Wanita has declared its support for Lembah Jaya assemblyman Haniza Talha and her running mate, Selangor exco member Dr Daroyah Alwi for the women’s wing top posts.

“We now give our undivided support to team YB Haniza Talha and YB Dr Daroyah Alwi who have both vast experience in the administration of the Selangor government to continue the excellent work of YB Zuraida Kamaruddin,” Sarawak Wanita chief Nurhanim Mokshen said at the same media conference.

“We have full confidence in their leadership.”

The Sarawak women are also backing Azmin Ali in defending the deputy president’s post.

“We have never doubted his ability and commitment to the party and his performance as menteri besar of Selangor is par excellence,” said Nurhanim.

She said Azmin’s hard work and his loyalty to party leader Anwar Ibrahim could be seen in his track record.

“We, without hesitation, wholeheartedly support Azmin Ali to remain as deputy president.” – August 6, 2018.