Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's official vehicle was spotted heading inside the grounds of the Kedah palace in Kuala Lumpur this morning, strengthening speculation of a change in the menteri besar of Kedah very soon.

Najib's car, with the number plate W 11 N, was spotted entering the Darul Aman palace about 8.18am.

The visit today comes ahead of the Umno supreme council meeting later this afternoon, at which Kedah's embattled MB Mukhriz Mahathir is scheduled to attend.

Mukhriz is facing a crisis of confidence in the state after his deputy in the state Umno leadership, Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah , declared at a press conference that the BN assemblypersons do not have confidence in Dr Mahathir Mohamad's son leading the state.

Mukhriz ( photo ) has in turn remained defiant , stressing that he was elected to the post by virtue of mandate from the rakyat and the state ruler.

Najib was spotted leaving the palace at 9.15am together with his entourage.

However, he did not stop to speak to members of the media gathered at the site.

It is learnt that Najib met with members of the Kedah Council of Regency to present the name of a candidate to replace Mukhriz as menteri besar.

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has said that no action would be taken against 14 Kedah Umno division leaders present at Ahmad Bashah's press conference in Alor Setar.

The Kedah royalty has expressed its intention to stay non-partisan in the state menteri besar crisis.