He surprised reporters here today when he said Khairy was the “best” man for the job.
“Now I see the presidency of the party is being contested. I see the best candidate is Khairy… for president,” Mahathir said.
His comment came while he was being asked about the impasse in Perlis, where Umno assemblymen are resisting the choice of Azlan Man as menteri besar.
Mahathir said the Perlis problem was because of Umno’s heavy defeats at the general election last month. Asked whether Umno needed a period of recovery, he made his comment about the party elections and Khairy.
Khairy announced yesterday that he would contest for one of the three vice-presidents’ posts.
Umno is holding its party elections this month, the first in almost three years, with open contests for all positions. Acting party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has announced he would contest the party presidency, while Negeri Sembilan Umno leader Mohamad Hasan is contesting the deputy presidency.
Acting deputy president Hishammuddin Hashim has not made a decision and said he was weighing his options.
Three others are contesting the vice-presidency: Perlis Umno leader Shahidan Kassim, former education minister Mahdzir Khalid, and Pasir Salak Umno leader Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
Khairy’s deputy in the Youth wing, Azwan Harun, has said he will contest to be Youth leader.
Nominations for the Umno party elections are open until June 17.