(AFP) Umno women's chief today denied any rivalry between the women's wing and Puteri Umno, a new grouping of younger female professionals.

Rafidah Aziz, who is also the International Trade minister, said the party's women's wing is helping recruit members for the new party section.

The formation of the Puteri wing, for women aged 17-35, is designed to attract younger female professionals to the party.

Rafidah, addressing the women's wing annual assembly, urged members to encourage their young relatives and friends to join the Puteri section.

"From this moment I do not want to hear that the women's wing does not like Puteri UMNO," she said.

UMNO, led by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has been losing its traditional Malay support especially among young people, following the sacking and jailing of ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Avoid factions

Puteri UMNO will be officially launched in August. A pro-term committee has been established.

Rafidah instructed her wing to include the junior group in all its activities.

"We know there is going to be a lot of work in the coming elections," she said. "We wish all the best for the launch of Puteri UMNO...let them join us in our struggle for the party."

About half of UMNO's 2.9 million members are women.

The next parliamentary and state elections must be held by 2004 but may be held sooner.

Zaharah Hamid, a delegate from Penang state, urged the women's wing to avoid factionalism to prevent a break-up.

"We will help Puteri UMNO to woo new members. It will help strengthen UMNO," she said.