“Why not? If Khairy does not stand (for the post in the next party election), then Jamal can go for it.
“What’s the problem? I think he is a good candidate,” he told a press conference here today.
Malay daily Sinar Harian yesterday reported that Jamal had expressed his intention to contest for the Youth post if Khairy no longer wanted it.
The Sungai Besar Umno division chief had said this would be an option especially if there was no parliament or state seat available for him to contest in the 14th general election.
“If YB Budiman (Mohd Zohdi) contests for the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat, Datuk Imran (Tamrin) for the Sungai Panjang state seat and Cikgu Samad (Wahab) stands in the Sekinchan state seat, so where can the Sungai Besar Umno division chief contest?
“If there is no place in Sungai Besar, the division chief wants to contest for the Umno Youth chief post,” he was quoted as saying.
Nazri said if Jamal wanted the post, the latter, being a member of Umno, could certainly rely on his support.
“If he comes to see me, I will support him. But he hasn’t come to see me yet. That’s okay. It’s his right (to contest).”
Khairy has helmed the Youth wing since 2008 but had hinted on the possibility of moving on.
“I will not be here (Youth chief’s post) forever… I am already 37,” he was reported as saying in the press.
Khairy’s deputy Khairul Azwan Harun, who is the front-runner to succeed him, has refused to comment on Jamal’s statement.