SEREMBAN: Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin (pic) prefers to campaign for Barisan Nasional in the Aug 1 Negri Sembilan state polls rather than contest as a candidate.

The former health minister said he preferred to support the coalition from the sidelines rather than enter the fray himself.

He add­ed that the selection of candidates ulti­m­ate­ly rests with Bari­san chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and that he has no intention of pre-empting the leadership’s final decision.

“Personally, I would rather be a normal campaigner for this state election and not stand as a candidate.

“Since I have just returned to Umno, I feel I can contribute better by helping out in the camp­aigns or giving speeches,” he told reporters after opening the Serem­­ban Umno Youth and Puteri meetings.

Khairy said as a campaigner, it would give him more freedom to move about.

“If I am made a candidate, I will only be able to focus in one place,” he said.

“So I am okay if not nominated as a candidate, as this will allow me to help our candidates in ­several constituencies.”

Asked if his preference was to contest a parliamentary seat, Khairy said it was too early to talk about the general election.

He has been on the ground campaigning for the party in the upcoming Johor state election.

Polling for the Johor election is set for July 11, while Negri Sembilan will go to the polls on Aug 1.