In a tweet, Khairy, the former Rembau MP, said he has fulfilled his duty as a voter by backing Mohamad, also known as Tok Mat.

“Felt nostalgic going back but hopefully a new beginning today in Sungai Buloh,” said the health minister who is contesting the Sungai Buloh seat in GE15.

Khairy’s remarks that he voted for Mohamad come days after he denied urging someone to sabotage the Umno deputy president’s bid to be elected Rembau MP.

He had said a purported “leaked” WhatsApp conversation on the call to sabotage Mohamad was fake.

He also said reports would be lodged with the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission against the account that posted the fake conversation.

Khairy was the Rembau MP for three terms but made way for Mohamad, who wanted a role in federal politics, in this general election.

Mohamad is in a five-cornered fight against candidates from Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, Pejuang and Parti Sosialis Malaysia.