Perak UMNO liaison chief Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said today that he was opting out of the national party polls in October.

"I am not contesting to make way for other qualified party members. Furthermore, as Menteri Besar I am automatically an Umno supreme council member," he told reporters at the Perak Umno Youth Aidilfitri open house here on Sunday.

Meanwhile, state UMNO Youth chief Khairul Azwan Harun said he would join the race for the Umno Youth vice chief.

He made the decision after discussing with the state Umno youth wing and Dr Zambry.

"The state Umno Youth leadership wants me to contest so I will sign up as a candidate when the registration opens," he told reporters at the same function.