UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal says the people need leaders who are willing to speak up for the smooth administration of the country, andin puttingtheir interests first.

As an assemblyman, he said he had voiced out several matters in the interest of the people and nation.

He was speaking to reporters when met atRasahUMNO division vice-chief Datuk Abdul Karim Mustafa's Hari Raya open house held in Kampung Kubang near here Sunday.

He said he raised several matters relating to current 'hot' issues as he wanted to know the answers before he was questioned by the people.