Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Mukhriz Mahathir today said he was open to contesting a Kedah state seat.

This comes in the wake of speculation that the former premier Mahathir Mohamad's son may be tapped for the Kedah Menteri Besar post should the BN recapture the state.

"It is up to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak but I am open to that," he said when asked on the possibility his going for a state seat.

NONE However, Mukhriz ( right ) who is Jerlun MP, said that if the premier were to asked him not to contest, he would abide by it.

"It doesn't matter even if I don't contest," he told a press conference at Mahathir's Hari Raya open house at Sri Kembangan this afternoon.

The families of both Najib and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin were present at the open house.

Elaborating on Kedah, Mukhriz expressed optimism in recapturing the state, stating that the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government had failed to fulfill its duties.

"The rakyat's acceptance is our strength right now because people have seen after giving chance to Pakatan, they have failed to live up to their promises.

"Even in my constituency I have not seen PAS' representatives doing their job. It is the BN representatives who have been giving attention to issues affecting the needy in Kedah," he said.

Mukhriz who is also deputy Kedah Umno liason chief said that the party's candidates for the next polls election in the state would be a mix of both young and old faces, appealing to all ages.