Umno Youth vice-chief Aziz Sheikh Fadzir's decision not to get involved in speculations about the challenge for the wing's top post has earned him respect among its members.

Instead of getting involved, a source close to him said Aziz was doubling his efforts to strengthen Umno's machineries in Kedah to face PAS in the coming general election.

"I think he is well-aware about the speculations. (But) Aziz, who is also Kedah Umno Youth chief, has many responsibilities to shoulder.

"The most immediate one was to help prepare Kedah Umno for elections," the source told malaysiakini today.

According to him, Aziz was implicated in the rumours about the possible showdown between incumbent Hishamuddin Hussein and Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for the Umno Youth chief post.

"I think he had acted wisely for not bothering himself with those speculations and rumours. Otherwise he cannot do his work at all," said the source who declined to be named.

"This sort of speculations will go on. There were rumours claiming that Aziz was teaming up with Mohd Khir to challenge Hishamuddin in the coming party elections," he added

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The source said another rumour accused Aziz of aiming for the Kedah Menteri Besar post and its because of this that he was putting in the extra effort.

The source claimed that Aziz was popular among Umno Youth members, who were hoping that he would help revitalise the wing which was becoming increasingly less aggressive.

As an example, he cited the issue of PAS using separate manifestos for the coming elections which evoked strong criticism from various Umno leaders, but the Youth wing remained silent.

"This is something that everybody in Umno Youth, not only Aziz, must look into seriously.

"This is the immediate problem that needs to be solved. They must get together, instead of pointing fingers," said the source.