Khaled Nordin: Put me anywhere

"Put me anywhere, I’m prepared to serve," said Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Khaled Nordin in response to grassroot talks that he will be the new Johor Menteri Besar.

Khaled, who is Pasir Gudang Umno division chairperson, told Bernama this after launching the marketing of Koop-Bioworld products of the South Johor Smallholders Cooperative in Johor Bahru today.

"This is a post I never asked for. I don't know. I can be put anywhere," he said when asked about the persistent speculation including in the previous general election, indicating that the people wanted him to hold the post.

Khaled said he had heard nothing of him being nominated for the menteri besar's post to replace Abdul Ghani Othman but in jest, he said he would prefer the news to come from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Among several names

Ghani is said to be contesting a parliamentary seat in the general election on March 8.

Khaled, who is Pasir Gudang MP, is said to be among the names proposed for the menteri besar's post.

The others are Seri Medan assemblyman Ahmad Zahri Jamil, Panti assemblyman Baderi Dasuki and Pulai MP Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

Ahmad Zahri and Nur Jazlan are chairpersons of their respective Umno divisions, while Baderi is deputy chairman of the Tenggara division.

Khaled said he had the feeling that he would be fielded again for the Pasir Gudang seat.

He defeated Parti Keadilan Rakyat's A. Razak Ahmad with a majority of 31,121 votes to win the seat in the 2004 general election.