KJ admits 'boss' Tok Mat wants Rembau, worst case not contesting in GE15

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has admitted he was asked to make way and not defend the Rembau parliamentary seat, which he has held since 2008.

Khairy said Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan spoke of his intention to contest in the seat a few years ago and recently reiterated his stance.

“He had most recently passed the message to me that I have to get out of his way.

“He asked me to find another constituency because he wants to contest in Rembau. He asked me to give way, so I have to do that,” Khairy was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

“What can I do? He is the boss,” he added.

Khairy (above, left) said he would adhere to the party’s instructions.

“As an Umno party man, I will not switch parties, and I will follow the top leadership.”

The minister expressed uncertainty over where he would contest apart from Rembau, after representing the constituency for the past 20 years.

Khairy said he is not looking to encroach into other constituencies, and the worst-case scenario is that he may not even contest in the upcoming 15th general election (GE15).

It was reported that Mohamad gave his clearest hint yet that he will defend the Rantau state seat and contest a parliamentary seat in the next polls.

“Malay voters here make up only about 51 percent, so it needs to be managed well. God willing, I will be defending the Rantau seat in GE15.

“As I am Umno’s deputy president, I also need to contest a parliamentary seat to play a role at the federal level,” he said.

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