SABAH WANTS MORE CABINET POSTS

KOTA KINABALU : Sabah hopes to have greater representation in the federal cabinet with 10 elected representatives in the new Umno leadership. State Umno and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman hoped the unprecedented numbers would translate into more full ministerial posts for Sabah Umno leaders.

In the recent Umno general assembly, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal was elected vice-president, the first Sabahan to reach such a position, while Musa, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Lajim Ukin and Kinabatangan member of parliament Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin won three of the 25 supreme council seats.

Papar MP Datuk Rosnah Abdul Shirlin was elected Puteri Umno chief while State Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun and Senator Datuk Armani Mahiruddin were elected into the Wanita Umno executive council.

The new Umno Youth executive councillors were Mohd Gasing Saling and Jamawi Jaafar, while Sipitang Puteri Umno head Dayang Maimunah Sidek made it into the Puteri Umno executive council.

Musa said the number of Sabahans elected showed the trust delegates placed in Sabah after Sabah Umno's electoral victory in the 2008 general election.