KUALA LUMPUR, 27 March 2009: Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the decision of the delegates in electing the party leadership line-up reflected their maturity and Malaysian outlook.
If previously the results mostly favoured candidates from the peninsula, the election this time around saw four candidates from Sabah being elected into the Umno leadership, he said.
The candidates from Sabah elected into the party leadership line-up were Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal (vice-president), Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin (Puteri head), Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin (supreme council).
“So, this is a strong representation and reflects that our delegates are adopting a Malaysian outlook instead of confining to their respective regions,” Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, told reporters, here today.
Muhyiddin said Sabah formed an important component in Umno and it had an important role and responsibility to play.
“That’s why there are credible leaders elected and they can assist the government and party,” he said when asked on the voting trend which now appears more open in electing the new Umno leadership line-up.
Yesterday, Muhyiddin was elected as Umno deputy president after obtaining 1,575 votes compared with 916 votes obtained by Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib. — Bernama
