Leaders of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) from Sabah created history at the on-going party congress held in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia. UMNO is the largest of 13 component parties which make up the National Front (BN), Malaysia's ruling coalition.
They achieved many firsts in the party election held over the last two days. Leading the pack is Datuk Shafie Apdal who won one of the three UMNO vice-presidencies, the first Sabahan to do so since the party entered the State in 1990.
The vice-presidency is considered the 3rd highest-ranking in the party heirachy after the president and deputy president. Since there are 3 vice-presidents, the candidate who gathered the most votes at the party election would be considered the most senior among the trio.
The vice-president normally holds a senior portfolio in the Malaysian Cabinet, unless he is the Chief Minister or Mentri Besar of a State. The vice-presidency is also seen as a stepping stone for the deputy presidency and eventually the coveted presidency.
Presently, Shafie is Minister for Culture, Arts and Heritage and formerly Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister. Prior to his promotion to the full ministership, he served as Deputy Minister in a couple of Ministries.
Shafie's political star started shinning after his election as a Member of Parliament for Semporna in 1995. He was soon appointed a Parliamentary Secretary (a post which has since been abolished) until his promotion as a Deputy Minister.
Prior to today's party election, Shafie was a UMNO Supreme Councillor. The UK graduate has held that post since 1996, another first for a Sabahan.
Before joining politics, Shafie served in the Sabah civil service and was an officer at the State Ministry of Finance. He is a nephew of former Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) Tun Sakaran Dandai.
They achieved many firsts in the party election held over the last two days. Leading the pack is Datuk Shafie Apdal who won one of the three UMNO vice-presidencies, the first Sabahan to do so since the party entered the State in 1990.
The vice-presidency is considered the 3rd highest-ranking in the party heirachy after the president and deputy president. Since there are 3 vice-presidents, the candidate who gathered the most votes at the party election would be considered the most senior among the trio.
The vice-president normally holds a senior portfolio in the Malaysian Cabinet, unless he is the Chief Minister or Mentri Besar of a State. The vice-presidency is also seen as a stepping stone for the deputy presidency and eventually the coveted presidency.
Presently, Shafie is Minister for Culture, Arts and Heritage and formerly Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister. Prior to his promotion to the full ministership, he served as Deputy Minister in a couple of Ministries.
Shafie's political star started shinning after his election as a Member of Parliament for Semporna in 1995. He was soon appointed a Parliamentary Secretary (a post which has since been abolished) until his promotion as a Deputy Minister.
Prior to today's party election, Shafie was a UMNO Supreme Councillor. The UK graduate has held that post since 1996, another first for a Sabahan.
Before joining politics, Shafie served in the Sabah civil service and was an officer at the State Ministry of Finance. He is a nephew of former Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) Tun Sakaran Dandai.