KUALA LUMPUR: Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin may not contest in the 15th general election if Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan decides to run in the Rembau parliamentary seat.
"The worst-case scenario is that I don't contest, it's fine. It's okay, I'm alright," said Khairy during a press conference during the closing ceremony of the Organ Donation Awareness week on Sunday (Sept 4).
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Khairy was responding to Mohamad, who recently dropped a hint that he could contest the Rembau parliamentary seat and defend the Rantau state seat in GE15.
Khairy said Mohamad spoke about contesting the Rembau state seat several times, most recently during a speech last year and then in a recent message conveyed by the Umno deputy.
"He (Mohamad) mentioned it a couple of years back. But then, that was not tentative.
"And of course, he made a speech last year or something. I wasn't even there... saying that he was going to contest in Rembau.
"But, he passed the message to me that I must get out of the way," said Khairy.
Asked if Mohamad recently sent the message to him, Khairy said "Yes".
"Anyways, you know, what can I do? He's the boss," added Khairy.
Mohamad is presently the Rembau Umno division chief while Khairy is his deputy.
Khairy said he has never made any preparations for any other seats, adding that he has been the Rembau MP for three terms.
"But yes, if he wants to contest the parliament seat, I will give way," added Khairy.
Khairy noted that the present Rembau Umno division chief was Mohamad and he has to toe the party's line if the leadership decided to let Mohamad stand in that seat.
However, Khairy reiterated that he has never thought of contesting in other seats, given that he's been the Rembau MP for 15 years or three terms.
Khairy also said he has never received any instructions from the Umno leadership so far, but he will abide by any decisions made by the party.
"I'm also asking from some of my friends who might have a place for me," Khairy quipped.
On Saturday (Feb 3), Mohamad told reporters during an event at Rembau that as an Umno deputy president, he needs to contest a parliamentary seat to play a role at the federal level.
However, Mohamad did not specify which parliament seats he wanted to contest, adding that potential candidates to stand in Negri Sembilan were not discussed by Barisan yet.
