The rumour mills have gone into overdrive after Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu was conferred the venerable 'Datuk Patinggi' title recently.

The title, the second highest in the state, is usually bestowed upon heads of state, prime ministers and chief ministers.

It is rarely given to a deputy chief minister, leading to speculation on Jabu's future in Sarawak politics.

Jabu, who holds two portfolios - Communications and Infrastructure Development and Rural Development - is the country longest serving deputy chief minister of nearly 30 years.

Datuk Patinggi used to be the highest award in Sarawak before the state government decided to create a special award for former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which carried the title 'Pehin Sri' as a farewell gift.

When Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over the premiership, he was conferred the 'Datuk Patinggi' title but Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud received the 'Pehin Sri' award.

This was seen by some as a message from the veteran Taib to Putrajaya that he was still 'more senior'.

Three successors

Previously, the chief minister had irked Jabu's camp when he named three possible successors, all of whom were the latter's juniors in terms of party hierarchy. They are all members of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputra (PBB).

The three were Abang Johari Abang Openg, Adenan Satem and Effendi Norwawi.

However, much has changed since then. Abang Johari is clearly out of favour now while Effendi appears to have come under the crosshairs of the new premier.

Though insisting that his relationship with Abdullah is 'good', Effendi, the former federal agriculture minister, was instantly demoted when Abdullah took over the premiership.

But many are speculating that Effendi is on the comeback trail after his appointment as an education envoy, a position equivalent to that of a cabinet minister.

On the other hand, Jabu was tasked with an exceptional duty early this year. The Christian politician chaired the state level Maal Hijrah celebrations.

"Maal Hijrah is very religious in nature. Maybe they wanted to picture Jabu as a matured politician whose leadership transcends ethnic and religious differences," noted a seasoned observer.

Religious obstacle

Although many agree that the race for chief ministership will be between Adenan and Effendi, they are also not ruling out the possibility of Jabu being appointed for two terms.

The Sarawak National Party (Snap) has also been openly lobbying for Jabu to succeed Taib in its' election manifesto.

But some pundits are pessimistic about his chances, saying he will never make it to the coveted post as the federal government would find it difficult to make a non-Muslim the state's top leader.

"The best that he could wish for is to succeed Abang Salahuddin as governor in December, but the latter though born a Christian, embraced Islam prior to his appointment," said one of them.

JIMMY TEOH is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.