Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is believed to have had a meeting with Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and several state leaders in Kuching today.

Taib and Ahmad Zahid were seen arriving separately at the state government administration building, Wisma Bapa Malaysia, at 10.31am and 10.53am, respectively.

Also seen arriving at the building were Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu; Parti Rakyat Sarawak president James Masing; Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak president Peter Chin Fah Kui and inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar.

A schedule issued last week by the Home Ministry said a closed-door meeting to be held at the Chief Minister’s Office would be related to the 11th state election, due in 2016. The 10th state election was held in April 2011.

However, a Home Ministry official who met reporters today said the meeting was merely a courtesy call on Taib and that there would be no news conference afterwards.

Almost 30 reporters from the print and electronic media had gathered at Wisma Bapa Malaysia from 9.30 am but were not allowed into the building. They waited at the main gate.

Sarawak has gained greater media focus in the past week following the decision of Taib to step down as the chief minister, a post he has held since 1981.  

- Bernama