[3][failed verification] Shafie served as the Head of Research Centre, National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) for five years.

Later on he was appointed the Undersecretary Research on Policy Analysis in the Malaysian Centre for Development Studies under the Prime Minister department.

[6][failed verification] During the 55th UMNO General Assembly, Shafie said that he will uphold the aspiration of the Malays.

As the Malay special was attacked by the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia Dong Zong.

Shafie Salleh in a defensive stance, said at the assembly that non-Bumiputras could not enter Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) because it has been allocated to the Malays and it was agreed by all.