KUALA LUMPUR - Former Rembau Member of Parliament Khairy Jamaluddin remained non-committal on Monday about a potential return to active politics in the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election, stating that any decision rests with the party.
When pressed by reporters on whether he would throw his hat into the ring for the state polls, the former Umno Youth chief gave a brief response: "I don't know, ask the party."
Khairy, who also served as health minister, was speaking after launching the "Safe Child, Strong Nation" campaign, organised by the Children’s Protection Society Malaysia at Serai House.
Despite no longer holding a position within Umno, the high-profile politician continues to draw intense political speculation due to his deep roots in Negeri Sembilan.
Commentators are watching his movements closely as political factions finalise their candidate line-ups for what is expected to be a tightly contested election.
Negeri Sembilan is currently governed by the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional coalition, which secured a comfortable majority during the 2023 state polls.
While Khairy's name has frequently surfaced in discussions surrounding potential candidate lists and strategic realignments, he has consistently declined to reveal his political plans.
The Election Commission has set August 1 as polling day for the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election, with nominations scheduled for July 18 and early voting to take place late next month in July.