Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin stressed today that his party must contest in the Port Dickson by-election so as not to allow a "coronation" for PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim.

"Umno-BN must contest. Port Dickson is not a winnable seat but we must fight this shameless political entitlement.

"Coronations are for kings and Anwar isn't one," he said on Twitter.

The parliamentary constituency fell vacant after its incumbent MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah resigned to pave the way for Anwar – who is slated to succeed Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister – to make his return to Parliament.

Khairy was responding to Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, who suggested that opposition sit out the by-election and allow Anwar a walkover.

MIC president SA Vigneswaran had said that his party had no interest in challenging Anwar despite traditionally contesting the seat.

MIC won Teluk Kemang, as Port Dickson was then known, in the 2004 general election, but lost it to PKR in 2008. PKR has held onto the seat in the three terms since.

Aminuddin's predecessor, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan said last week that the party will meet to decide whether to field a candidate for the by-election.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had said his party may contest if Umno decides not to.

Port Dickson is a neighbouring constituency to Rembau, of which Khairy is the MP.