clashed with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Parliamentary Affairs and Deputy Chief Whip Nazri Aziz, who said that "The Whip is only relaxed when it is lifted by the chief or the deputy chief Whip." Rosli said "...in the absence of his [the Chief Whip's] direction, the general rule is to that MPs are to vote according to their conscience..." Although many backbenchers said they considered Shahrir the BNBBC chairman, Abdullah said that the government had planned to sack Shahrir, "But before we could do that he resigned, and we respect his decision." Ministership 2008–2009 In 2008, following the 12th general election which saw BN's majority significantly slashed, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi appointed Shahrir as Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister. In the 2009 UMNO General Assembly, Shahrir lost his bid for a place in the Supreme Council and consequently resigned from the Cabinet. Retirement On 4 February 2023, Shahrir announced his retirement from politics after decades by not defending his position as the Division Chairman of UMNO of Johor Bahru which he has held since the 1980s in the 2023 UMNO party election. He expressed confidence that there were many good future leaders in the party. In response, State Chairman of UMNO of Johor Mohamed Khaled Nordin thanked and conveyed his appreciation towards Shahrir for his contributions to the party. Election results Honours Honours of Malaysia : Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2012) : Grand Knight of the Order of the Territorial Crown (SUMW) – Datuk Seri Utama (2010) : Second Class of the Sultan Ibrahim Medal (PIS II) (1979) Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor (DPMJ) – Dato' (1980) Notes and references Other references Samad, Shahrir Abdul (2005). "shahrir-umno". Retrieved 29 October 2005. External links Official website. UMNO Bhg Johor Bahru. 1949 births Living people People from Pahang Malaysian people of Malay descent Malaysian Muslims United Malays National Organisation politicians Independent politicians in Malaysia Members of the Dewan Rakyat Government ministers of Malaysia University of Malaya alumni Commanders of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia Knights Commander of the Order of the Crown of Johor 21st-century Malaysian politicians