Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is a man on a mission - and it means that he is not about to step down any time soon from his 26-year post.

The clearest indication of this came during the opening of his Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) convention in Miri last Friday, in front of Prime Minister and Barisan National chairperson Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Taib told some 2,000 delegates that he was going to concentrate efforts in the next two years on increasing Internet penetration in the state to 50 percent, compared ti 1.4 percent currently.

State-owned agency Sacofa and another company will help narrow the digital divide, especially in the rural areas, as part of his government's plan to promote the federal government's knowledge-society policy.

On Sunday, Taib added to the buzz of speculation this created when he told reporters that it was "too early" to name his successor at this stage.

He also made it clear that his successor will not be decided according to party hierarchy but by a caucus of elected representatives and senators from within PBB.

It means that party deputy presidents Alfred Jabu and Abang Johari Tun Openg may not necessarily take over as chief minister when Taib steps down.

The departure from tradition may also affect the chances of former federal minisers Adenan Satem and Effendi Norwawi.

Taib said recommendations would be made to the parliamentary caucus to decide who should succeed him. His replacement will automatically takes over as party president.

Jabu, Johari, Adenan and Effendi all attended the three-day party convention, as did dark horse Wahab Dolah, a former state assistant minister and MP for Kuala Rajang.

Speculation starts

A Melanau delegate, who spoke to malaysiakini on condition of anonymity, said he was convinced that Effendi is probably Taib's first choice of successor.

Another of Effendi's staunch supporters said: "(Effendi's) loyalty to Taib is unquestionable, and Taib knows this."

He said he had run into Effendi three days earlier but was to " wait and see".

Adenan, who earlier announced that he was stepping down as PBB vice-president, looked cheerful during the party meeting. It led to several delegates speculating that "there is an important post waiting for him".

The body language between Abdullah, Taib, Johari and Effendi indicated that neither Johari nor Effendi are about to fade from the centre of PBB and state politics.

Abdullah, in his address, mentioned Effendi as the minister in charge of the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Taib, looking pleased, even applauded.