Former Agriculture Minister Effendi Norwawi has stepped down as Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu's (PBB) Repok division head, fueling speculation that he will also not defend his vice- president's post at the party polls in September.

A fellow Melanau, Matthias Raya Genam, has been elected the new Repok division head on July 3.

Effendi, the former Kuala Rajang MP, is one of three promising PBB leaders Chief Minister and party president Abdul Taib Mahmud has named as his possible successors.

But after he relinquished his federal ministerial post and declined to defend Kuala Rajang at last year's general election, Effendi has rarely been seen in Sarawak, attending mostly to his business and personal matters.

However, he is still the special envoy for higher education at the federal level, a post with ministerial status.

Effendi was recently in the news again after divorcing Faridah, his wife of 30 years. He is now married to former actress Tiara Jacquelina.

One of his aides told malaysiakini that if there is to be a contest for all the veep posts, it is very likely that Effendi will not defend the seat.

"However, he does not mind carrying on if there is no contest," he said, adding that Effendi is leaving it to the party president to decide.

PBB has four vice presidents reserved for the Bumiputera wing (Malay/Melanau) and three for the Pesaka wing (Iban/Bidayuh/Orang Ulu).

Proven track record

Political observers say that although he has rarely been seen lately in Sarawak, Effendi is not to be ruled out as a contender for the chief minister's post because of his close relationship with Taib and his proven record as a capable administrator.

"He probably wants to take a rest for the time being," his aide said, after confirming that the boss had stepped down as Repok division head.

The other two potential successors to Taib are PBB deputy president and state Housing Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg and PBB senior vice-president and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Adenan Satem.

There is strong rivalry between Johari and Adenan, both of whom are seen to be building up their own grassroots support ahead of the party convention in Miri.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.