Khairy will defend Rembau seat, N.Sembilan MB confirms

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan confirmed Thursday that Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin will defend his Rembau parliamentary in the 13th general election (GE-13).

He said the matter was agreed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during their meeting earlier and showed no signs of future changes.

Mohamad also confirmed that he will defend his Rantau assembly seat.

“Unless there’s any last minute changes... that I don’t know,” said the Rembau Umno division chief to Bernama.

Khairy in his Facebook page earlier had expressed tendency to not contest in the upcoming general election, leaving his fate to his party’s top leaders.

Khairy stated his commitement to ensure Barisan Nasional’s (BN) victory even if he was not chosen as candidate this time.

However, he said any decision made by the Umno’s President regarding candidacy will be accepted with open arms.

“Many had asked me through Twitter whether I’ll be contesting or not. I have informed Najib that my priority is more inclined of not contesting in GE-13.

“But I’m old-fashioned, I abide to every decision made by BN’s Chairman. If he orders me to contest, I will,” said Khairy.

He also advised youth leaders to not sulk or oppose if they are not chosen as candidates and instead prove their loyalty to the party through the general election.

“If they ask to back down, I will too. What matters to me now is my commitment to ensure BN’s undivided victory regardless of my being a candidate or not.

“I hope that the others, especially Umno Youth leaders would hold on to the same principle. Do not sulk or oppose if not shortlisted as candidates. We have to move as a team,” he added.

On January 2011, Khairy through his Twitter account announced that he will not be defending the Rembau parliamentary in GE-13.

He later withdrew his decision after his intention was rejected by Umno Youth.

He then reiterated the same decision in November 2012 but he said he wanted to serve another term as Umno Youth Chief.