Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said he was "willing" to contest the Kota Siputeh by-election if asked to do so by the Umno leadership.
The Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister is being widely speculated to be Barisan Nasional's candidate for the by-election.
"I'm willing if the leadership decides so. Even if I am not picked, I will put in 100% to help Barisan win.
"The machinery is actually moving already, making preparations if the decision is not in a favour and we have to face the by-election.," he said.
Umno to appeal against Kota Siputeh seat vacancy on Tuesday
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will appeal against the High Court declaration that the Kota Siputeh state seat was vacant at the Court of Appeals on Tuesday.
Umno information chief Ahmad Mazlan, while acknowledging that the party was running out of time to keep the state seat, said they would file the appeal through legal adviser Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun.
"We are short of time. Can a decision be arrived at (by the Court of Appeals) Tuesday itself?" he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
Should the decision not go Umno's way, Ahmad said they could still file an appeal at the Federal Court.
"But the Election Commission (EC) has to make an announcement (of the vacancy) by Wednesday, otherwise it will be in contempt of court.
"Maybe the EC can proceed while we continue with our appeal. This is unprecedented, so we have to study the technicalities," he said.
Meanwhile, he said Umno had proceeded with preparations for the by-election.
"Kota Siputeh is Umno's territory. We want to continue the winning spirit of Bagan Pinang, but we don't want to be overconfident either," he said.
tunku : mukhriz said it right when he said he is ready if selected and if not he is still ready 100% to help BN's win in Kota Siputeh.that is the spirit.the best for mukhriz is to stay put where he is today and keep doing the good job both at his constituency and ministry.
meanwhile, i think Umno should not appeal and let's have a fight in Kota Siputeh and wins it.a win in Kota Siputeh will be a turning point for Umno in Kedah.this will set the direction for the coming GE.i don't agree when it is said that Kota Siputeh is Umno's stronghold as the margin is too little.Abu Hassan won only by 495 votes which is too little.it will be a tough fight for Umno in Kota Siputeh as Jerlun has lots of pas supporters.Abu Hassan should let it go gracefully and help the BN's machinery without any hesitation.afterall he is the one who made the mistake here.we know that he is welcome there but he should know that he has to sacrifice the seat, at least for now.
