Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) deputy president Law Hieng Ding said today he will carry on in his present position as long as the party wants him to.

At yesterday's Supp central working committee (CWC) meeting chaired by party president Dr George Chan, Chan was asked by reporters if Law would retire.

"I don't know. You have to ask him," said Chan, who is also Sarawak deputy chief minister.

In response, Law told malaysiakini that he would serve in the party as long as he is needed.

After the federal election last year, Law was unceremoniously dropped from the cabinet after the party recommended the promotion of Peter Chin (photo) from a deputy minister to full minister.

This had led to an open tiff between Law and Chan.

Rumours are abound that Law or another party leader might take on Chan for the presidency at the upcoming triennial delegates conference (TDC).

No contest for top posts

Chan told reporters that yesterday's CWC reaffirmed the party's decision at a previous meeting that there would be no contest for all top party posts at the TDC, unless some leaders decided to retire or stand down for health reasons.

Chan said yesterday the idea in retaining the present CWC line-up was to prepare the party for the state elections widely expected to be held before November next year.

Asked if everyone would still stick to the no-contest agreement, Law said, "That was decided at the previous CWC meeting. I did not attend yesterday's meeting."

He added that he would not like to make more comments on the CWC to avoid further confusion.

The no-contest agreement for top party posts is to avert the build-up of any acrimonious feelings that are likely to follow should there be an open contest involving different factions.

It is for the same reason that Taib's Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has decided to postpone its TDC originally scheduled in Miri in September this year to after the state elections.