Umno Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussein must make a stand and shed his 'non-partisan' outlook as many have misconstrued it as a sign of weakness.

"Even in the issue of who would be (premier-in-waiting) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's deputy, he was again seen to be'non-partisan'. This was also the stand taken by the Youth movement," said a source who declined to be named today.

"It is also the case in many other issues...obviously it does not go down well with certain quarters in the party. More importantly, it also sends a "wrong signal" to the members at the grassroots level," he added.

The source stressed that it was not wrong for the Youth chief to adopt such a position but it becomes a problem when it is seen as a weakness.

He added that this could be one of the reasons that prompted rumours that there would be a contest for the Umno Youth chief post in the next party election.

"Probably there are people who want to grasp the opportunity to further strengthen their position in the party, in view of the impending changes in the top leadership."

Restore confidence

In view of this, the source said Hishamuddin should consider making the necessary changes in order to restore confidence in him and the wing.

"Before this, nobody had thought of a possibility of contest for the Umno Youth chief. But it has now become the much-talked topic within the political circle," he added.

There has been widespread speculation that Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Khir Toyo may challenge Hishamuddin for the post.

Later it was said that Mohd Khir would only contest if Hishamuddin decides to view for vice-presidency.

However, speculations intensified when he declined to deny or confirm whether he would still contest for the post should Hishamuddin remain as Youth chief.