He said that initially he had hoped that the Umno women's wing could solve its own problem regarding its leadership transition, scheduled for June next year, and elections in March.

However, since the problem had dragged on some time with no sign of a solution, he would try to help them, he said, adding that he did not want to take sides.

He hoped that the movement's elections would not lead to disunity that could weaken it, the Umno president told reporters here on Tuesday.

Mr Abdullah is on the third day of his four-day official visit to Uzbekistan.

His next stop is Turkmenistan before heading for home on Nov 20.

The Wanita Umno polemic arose when some leaders wanted to maintain the June transition plan while others wanted it to be brought forward to March next year in line with the wing's elections. -- BERNAMA