MUKHRIZ Mahathir would have you know that he is not a shoo-in for the Jerlun parliamentary seat in Kedah in the Malaysian general election this Saturday.

"I don't think I can say it is safe seat," the 43-year-old son of former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad told my paper yesterday, citing the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition's slim victory margin in the ward in the 2004 election.

Mr Mukhriz is a businessman with a degree from Boston University.

He currently chairs Umno Youth's international relations arm, and also leads Peace Malaysia, a non-governmental organisation campaigning against war.

Last month, Mr Mukhriz led a team that tried to enter Gaza to send aid to the Palestinians.

However, he has had to wait for his political break as Dr Mahathir, who stepped down in 2003, had barred his children from running in elections when he was premier.

Mr Mukhriz said: "I know what he has done is not easy. I aspire to be like him, to have the strength and determination to do the right thing."

He betrayed a sense of humour, saying he doesn't resemble Dr Mahahir 'physically'.

"Not at the top, especially," he said, referring to his receding hairline.

The aspiring MP sidestepped a question on his political future when asked if he would become Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak's running mate one day.

"At this moment, I am prepared to serve as an MP. That's the role I want to play for now - an MP for Jerlun," Mr Mukhriz said.

But he added: "Ask me the question several more years down the road. After I've had the experience of serving the people."