Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was non-committal about Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, leaving vague answers when asked about the latter’s promises of retirement.

When cornered by reporters at a function in Taib’s home turf in Mukah, Mahathir was asked to comment on the pressure for the CM to step down.

NONE “I was also under pressure (to resign) before. I’m quite sure he knows what to do,” said Mahathir, who was the premier for 22 years before stepping down in 2003.

Meanwhile, standing behind Mahathir was his host, a stoic and straight-faced Taib.

Taib was reported to have said that he would step down in two or three years.

This marked the first time Dr Mahathir appeared in Sarawak to campaign for the state election, with only less than 12 hours to go before the “cooling-off” period when no one is supposed to campaign before polling tomorrow.

NONE When asked why the former PM was in Mukah, a town situated in Balingian where Taib is gunning for a third term as assemblyperson, Mahathir merely said that he was invited.

When asked again, Mahathir concurred that there were “winds of change” in Sarawak.

“I think so, but the winds of change are not necessarily change of government. It will bring more government because of the faith of the people of the government,” he said.

But despite the ‘changing winds’, when asked about BN’s chances in general later, Abdul Taib said: “It is brighter than what people would expect”.

‘Nobody gets all of what they want’

In his meet-the-people function attended by about 2,000 people - a mixture of locals and party workers - Mahathir also said that the people should learn to “share”.

“Nobody will get 100 percent of their demands. They must share and learn to give and take.

“So every community must learn to live with each other,” he said.

He also said that the people should not vote with “emotions”, and they should choose someone who can rule.

“Though they have ruled certain states, even with the development, only certain people benefit,” he said. It was not clear if he was referring to Pakatan Rakyat.

With polling starting tomorrow, there are 71 state seats up for grabs between 213 candidates.