KOTA KINABALU: Incumbent Umno Puteri vice-head Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin yesterday affirmed her decision to vie for the movement’s top post in the party’s general assembly in March next year.

She said her commitment to run for the top post is based on the number of nominations she received from the Puteri divisions across the country.

“A compromise among candidates in the contest for the Puteri head post is unlikely to happen because of age factor, the number of aspirants, and the number of nominations,” said Rosnah yesterday.

“I only agree for all the candidates to deliberate on how to avoid a split as a result of the contest and I never agreed to a compromise.”

Rosnah, who is Papar member of parliament, said this in dismissing a recent news report stating that she was ready to compromise with the other candidates for the top Puteri post in order to avoid a split in the party.

She regretted that such a report would create a negative perception among her supporters throughout the country.

She welcomes any initiative by the party leaders to invite the candidates to sit down together and deliberate on how to avoid a split as a result of the contest for the top post.

“This is crucial in ensuring the solidarity in the Party because we all fear about excessive campaign and money politics that could weaken Umno.

“We must place the interests of the party above all else by adhering to the rules and regulations,” said Rosnah.