Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar has offered to defend his party post, but said he preferred to sit out from contesting in the next general election.

Khairy or KJ as he is popularly known, was reported in The Star today as saying that he had related his preference to Prime Minister and Umno president Najib Abdul Razak.

“I have made my preference known but if the PM asks me to contest (a parliament seat) I will do so. You must also accept it if you are not chosen, although everyone who looks in the mirror will think that he is the most suitable candidate,” Khairy said.

KJ was reported to have tweeted early last year that he would not defend his Rembau seat, which he won in 2008.

Khairy, 36,  had won the Umno Youth post by defeating International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Mukhriz Mahathir and also former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

He is presently Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd chairperson but does not hold any post in the cabinet.