Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Shafie Apdal reiterated today that he is only keen in running for the Umno vice presidency and will not contest the deputy president’s post.

Shafie who is also Sabah Umno deputy chief and supreme council member said although there is a possibility that the majority of the Umno divisions in Sabah would want him to contest for the Umno deputy president’s post, he will not budge.

shafie apdal pc 310308 shafie “I have made up my mind. There are more senior candidates than me who can do the job,” Shafie told a press conference after attending a function at the National Arts Hall in Kuala Lumpur this evening.

To contest the vice presidency, the candidate has to secure 19 nominations, a number not impossible to attain given the huge number of Umno divisions in Sabah.

Sabah has the second biggest number of divisions with 25 after Johor with 27. Perak is third with 24 divisions.

The possibility of winning one of the three vice-president’s post is also bright for Shafie who is known for his close alliance with Johor Umno.

Analysts feel that a Shafie Apdal-Hishammuddin Hussein (from Johor Umno) team is formidable. If the duo also has minister and supreme council member Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (from Perak Umno) on their side, it is not impossible for the trio to be the next Umno vice-presidents.

Zahid announced today that he was pulling out of the race for the deputy presidency, a move widely perceived to be making room for vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin to tighten his grip on the No 2 post.

Crowded field

Others expected to join the race to be veeps are former Perlis menteri besar Shahidan Kassim, Sabah Umno chief Musa Aman, Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin and former Malacca chief minister Rahim Tamby Chik.

Asked on the crowded field, Shafie said “what is most important is that candidates who offer themselves must be able to execute their tasks as party leaders and forge party unity.

“The candidates must put in mind that we must form a strong team and this team must be able to win the hearts of not just party members, but the public as well,” stressed the 51-year-old minister from Sabah..

Shafie also commended Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s decision not to defend his post as Umno president.

“My views are just like others (Umno and BN leaders). He made the decision after considering the bigger picture..

“It was a commendable act. His decision to step down is exemplary of a leader who places party and nation above all else,” said Shafie.