It would be a loss for Umno if Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin does not contest the 15th general election, said party supreme council member Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

This came after Khairy indicated he would be ceding Rembau to his division chief, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan - with no replacement seat lined up for himself as of yet.

Reezal said while Khairy was vocal, and may not always be right or perfect, he was still an important political asset to ensure Umno's victory in the forthcoming election.

He said the former Umno Youth chief could be a pull factor for first-time voters.