State Puteri Umno chiefs should be conscious that whatever backing they give publicly to certain candidates are personal decisions and should not derail the September election process where party grassroots across the nation make their preference known, a Puteri leader said today.

Suraya Yaacob, Kedah Puteri Umno chief and contender for the movement's Number 1 post made this comment in response to a statement by Johor Puteri Umno chief Haliza Abdullah that her state has decided to throw their support behind current deputy chief Noraini Ahmad.

Haliza (left), herself contesting the post of Batu Pahat Wanita Umno division chief, told Bernama today that the support for Noraini (right) as Puteri chief was based on their confidence for Noraini's leadership as deputy to current chief Azalina Othman

"It's good that the whole state is endorsing her. But this is not the end of it all. What is important is what the grassroots say," Suraya said today.

"The real test is in September, when members from across the country make their vote. State leaders of course say they support certain individuals, but they must also keep in mind that whatever being said now by perhubungan (state liaison committees) are personal views."

Will of members

She also said that leaders must be careful that their statement do not run contrary to the due process of the election, where the will of members ultimately take precedence over whatever personal views that are revealed at this juncture.

"It's about ensuring that the process to elect leaders is properly conducted. We should not misuse or mislead this process. It is due to the members to choose the kind of leaders they want," she said.

Despite being the movement's head in Kedah, Suraya said she has no intention to start publicising which leaders her state will be endorsing, especially not before divisions nominate their candidates for the top posts, since this derails the electoral rights of members.

Previously, Suraya had indicated that she would be willing to consider running for the Number Two post, if an understanding could be reached by Noraini.

Asked about this today, Suraya said that she is no longer eyeing the Number Two post, maintaining a firm decision to contest the top post of Puteri chief.