Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin may consider contesting the Umno Youth chief post if he receives an encouraging number of nominations, said a party source today.

"Khairy had missed the first boat (to contest in the recent general election) and surely he wouldn't want to miss the second boat at the coming party elections," he said.

All the 1991 Umno divisions nationwide will hold their annual general meetings starting July to elect new office bearers and to make nominations for Umno's top posts. The party polls is scheduled for September.

At present, Khairy is an Umno Youth exco member and also serves as a secretary to the prime minister.

It is also common knowledge that he is in the Umno inner circle which determines party policies and strategies.

Reveal intention

The source said Khairy must make his intention to contest for the post known to members in order for him to be nominated.

"The closest he got was when someone suggested that he teams up with Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo by contesting the movement's number two post," he added.

Speculation has been rife that incumbent Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussein has set his eyes on the vice-presidency for the coming polls.

There is also talk that should he move on, Mohd Khir would contest the Youth chief post.

Asked if Umno Youth members would welcome Khairy's leadership, the source said: "It's too early to say but given his close association to the prime minister, they would have to think about that seriously."

"However, I think he has a lot time as he is only 29. Probably he should give others like Mohd Khir or Aziz Sheikh Fadzir (current deputy chief) to lead Umno Youth as both of them are approaching 40," he added.