The wing’s deputy chief, Siti Sokhleha Nordin, and exco member Nooryana Najwa Najib dismissed a claim by former Puteri chief Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin that such a move could hinder efforts to nurture young leaders.
They said the proposal to raise the age limit to 40 should be viewed positively rather than as a restriction on new leadership talent.
Siti Sokhleha told FMT the move would provide more space for young people to be in leadership positions, considering the trend showing that nearly 69% of women aged 18 to 25 are in higher education institutions.
She said those aged 25 to 28 are usually focused on their careers or family life.
“So, at under 30, politics may not be their main priority and they only get involved after that. But with the current rules in Puteri Umno, they may only be able to serve until 35.
“Raising the age limit for Puteri Umno membership would create more opportunities for leadership development, enabling members to cultivate their potential and gain the maturity needed to fulfill their responsibilities to the party,” she said.
Rosnah, who led the wing from 2009 to 2013, said last Tuesday that Puteri Umno needs more young leaders to ensure it can attract youth voters, especially since the voting age has been lowered to 18.
The former deputy health minister also warned that raising the age limit could create overlapping roles between Puteri and Wanita Umno.
As such, she said, the age limit for Puteri Umno should be maintained at 35 to produce more young leaders.
She was responding to Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin who was reported to have said that the party was mulling amending its electoral process and increasing the age limit for members in the Puteri wing to 40.
Nooryana said the proposal had been discussed at all levels and was approved during the wing’s convention before being brought to the Umno general assembly last year.
She said the issue had long been left unresolved, adding that this term was the most suitable time to implement the proposed age limit.
“Puteri Umno is always aware of the social and professional changes among young women. This move (raising the age limit) can maximise their potential and produce young leaders who can engage in politics maturely,” she said.
On efforts to strengthen Puteri Umno in attracting youth support, the wing, led by Nurul Amal Fauzi, conducted a study with Kuala Lumpur International Education Consortium researcher Azlan Alias.
“The study on the Undi18 initiative found that today’s young generation needs to be engaged based on their level of education rather than merely by age groups,” Nooryana said.
She said there is also research supporting the proposal, showing that Puteri and Umno need diversity in age and educational backgrounds to face the current political challenges in the country.