Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein has confirmed that he met with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir in Putrajaya yesterday.

According to a NST report, the former defence minister's special officer said the meeting was to hear Mahathir's plans on the “future of the (Malay) race and Malaysia... that's all.”

News of the meeting had fueled speculation on whether Hishammuddin would join former ministers Mustapa Mohamed and Anifah Aman in quitting Umno.

In a Facebook posting earlier, Mahathir's media advisor A Kadir Jasin posted: "Assalamualaikum Datuk Seri Hishammuddin. Nak tanya, semalam pergi Putrajaya jumpa siapa?" (Datuk Seri Hishammuddin. I'd like to ask, who did you meet in Putrajaya yesterday?)

Meanwhile, NST said Hishammuddin said there is no reason for him to leave Umno, which was founded by his grandfather Onn Jaafar while his father Hussein Onn was its fourth president.

"To me, I don't have a reason to leave Umno, but I feel the leadership needs to show a clear direction to all Umno members," he added.

Commenting on Mustapa's exit, Hishammuddin said he would be meeting the latter soon.

"I have high respect for Dato Pa... Will be meeting in the nearest time," he added.

Earlier, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamid chided those who were turning their backs on Umno during this critical juncture.