Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin wants Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim to vacate his position as president of the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum).

"He was prohibited to contest in the Asum elections (held last weekend).

"I told him that, and he said okay. But he contested nevertheless," said the Umno youth chief when officiating a fitness centre's partnership venture in Kuala Lumpur.

Khairy ( right ) was referring to a cabinet directive in 2007 which restricts ministers and deputy ministers from holding any position in sports associations.

It was reported that Shahidan's challenger - Negri Sembilan Amateur Swimming Association supremo Zainal Othman – had accused Shahidan of having no time to manage a sports association.

"Even Khairy has voiced his concern over the decline of certain sports," said Zainal as quoted by the Star.

Shahidan, the former Perlis menteri besar, has helmed a few sport associations in the past namely the Malaysian Amateur Athletic Union (MAAU) and the Perlis Football Association.

Khairy keeps mum

Khairy said he will officially inform Shahidan ( below ) to vacate his position at the cabinet meeting next week.

"If he still wants to hold on, then he has to get the approval from the cabinet," he said.

On political development in the country, Khairy declined to comment remaining  tight-lipped when asked if he would facilitate a meeting between former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Umno Youth wing so they both could exchange views on the beleaguered 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Mahathir, who continue to openly criticise Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on policy decision has asked for a chance to meet the Umno grassroots so they can hear his side of story.