KOTA KINABALU: Khairy Jamauddin continues to avoid questions on where he will contest in the 15th General Election.
The Health Minister, however, jokingly said he would contest the Kota Kinabalu seat.
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When asked about speculation that he would contest either the Tampin or Kuala Pilah seat in GE15, the Rembau MP quipped, “Kota Kinabalu”, to laughter from the local press corps.
“Tak apa lah (it’s okay),” he said, when pressed further, before ending his doorstep interview after attending the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat-Sabah Maju Jaya (ANMS-SMJ) launching ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre here on Saturday (Sept 10).
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had also seemingly fueled the speculation further after making a cryptic reference to Khairy’s seat situation in his speech.
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Hajiji, who also heads the Sabah chapter of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, was expressing the state’s gratitude towards the Health Minister’s concern over healthcare needs in Sabah.
He said Khairy had himself tabled and suggested the health facilities needed in the state during the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Thursday (Sept 8).
“He is sensitive to our needs in Sabah and all the State Cabinet ministers present during the meeting were very touched and expressed their appreciation.
“If Negri Sembilan can’t accept (Khairy), Sabah is ready to accept him,” he said, to cheers and laughter from the floor.
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Khairy had previously said he may not contest in GE15 if Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan decides to contest in Rembau.
“The worst-case scenario is that I don't contest, it's fine. It's okay, I'm alright,” said Khairy on Sept 4.
Khairy was responding to Mohamad, who dropped a hint that he could contest the Rembau parliamentary seat and defend the Rantau state seat in GE15.
The Kota Kinabalu MP seat is currently held by Chan Foong Hin of DAP.
