Former youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin has conceded defeat in the Umno presidential race.

Taking to Twitter, Khairy congratulated new party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as Tengku Razaleigh for participating in the race like a statesperson.

"I accept this outcome with an open heart. God willing the new Umno leadership can restore the people's confidence in our party.

"Make a total change. Prove that Umno can change direction for the better," he tweeted.

Khairy added that he will continue to serve as Rembau MP and deputy division chief to strengthen the party and win over the people.

About half hour after conceding, Khairy retweeted a Berita Harian article quoting Tengku Razaleigh as saying there were rumours of money politics influencing the party polls.

The former Umno youth chief, however, appeared to be taking the results in his stride, tweeting that the worst news of the day was Argentina crashing out to France in the World Cup.