Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud’s meeting with governor Abang Mohammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng sent journalists on a frenzy as polls fever hits.

According to Bernama , journalists had camped outside the governor’s official residents, the Astana Negeri, since 9am this morning after finding out about the meeting.

sarawak BN convention taib and wife What followed was intense speculation that Taib would be advising the governor to dissolve the state legislative assembly to pave way for state polls, which must be called by July.

Taib showed up in his official vehicle at 9.40am and left at about 10.55am to attend the state cabinet meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia scheduled for 11am.

However, Taib refused comment when approached by journalists at the conclusion of the cabinet meeting.

'Normal meeting'

Housing and Rural Development Minister Abang Johari Openg said the meeting was a standard practice before state cabinet meetings.

“Its nothing. Its normal. Usually, the chief minister will speak to the governor before chairing a cabinet meeting,” he said.

He added that it was a normal meeting which did not touch on anything other than ministerial affairs.

Sarawak BN's campaign will unofficially kick off this weekend with a whirlwind tou by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin. 

Taib is expected to leave for Mecca on March 20 to perform the umrah pilgrimage. He is expected to return by March 26 to celebrate his 30th year in office.

There is heavily speculation that the dissolution would be announced at the end of this month. 

Following this, it is expected that nominations would be held on the second weekend of April and polling a week after.