Puteri Umno is not "untouchable" because the new party wing was conceived and designed to compliment the Wanita Umno's efforts to attract young professional women into Umno, said Umno supreme council member Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

As such, Puteri Umno and its leadership is also open to criticism from within and outside Umno, he added.

He also cautioned party members from being misguided into thinking that Puteri is "an independent body" which did not need help from others in Umno.

He emphasised that Wanita Umno has proven itself to be a reliable movement. The existence of Puteri Umno is to further strengthen the party, especially to reinforce the already strong Wanita Umno.

"Puteri Umno is a newly-formed party wing to attract young women to join Umno. So we shouldn't look at Puteri Umno as the only party vehicle that is capable of recruiting new party members," he told malaysiakini recently.

"As such we must appreciate and support both Wanita and Puteri Umno as their contributions are very much needed to further strengthen the party," said the former Umno Youth chief.

Occupational hazard

Zahid was asked to comment on reports that Azalina Othman's fast elevation has drawn attacks from other Umno women and dismissive snorts from the opposition.

Azalina also drew criticism from within Umno when she stormed a press conference held by the Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor, Dr Anuar Zaini Mohd Zain, calling on him to resign to take responsibility for the pre-dawn fire which razed Dewan Tunku Canselor on June 29.

And recently she became the victim of a poison-pen letter which accused her of imposing her will on the wing's committee and of favouritism. The nine-page letter, reportedly an inside job, was sent to Prime Minister and Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the local media.

Zahid described the situation as "an occupational hazard" which Azalina has to get used to and react in accordance with the framework of the party's constitution.