Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice-president Adenan Satem shocked 1,500 delegates yesterday when he admitted that the postponement of the party's triennial delegates conference (TDC) was due to the improper registration of several party divisions and branches.

This is the first time that a senior leader of the party has openly conceded that the postponement was due to what could be described as the 'messy' state of affairs in the party in the run-up to the TDC.

It is an open secret that Adenan and Abang Johari Tun Openg, a PBB deputy president, have been preparing for an eventual showdown at the coming TDC. The prize at stake - a step closer to become the next chief minister of Sarawak.

The TDC was initially scheduled for the middle of this month.

Adenan, the Natural Resources and Environment Minister, was moving a resolution as required under the party constitution on the postponement of the TDC as decided at the party's supreme council meeting in Kuching on Aug 8.

A PBB supreme council member told malaysiakini today that delegates and observers who attended the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) yesterday were surprised by Adenan's brief explanation.

Adenan warned that the party could face serious consequences if the TDC went ahead as planned.

Briefing on 9MP

Previously, PBB president Abdul Taib Mahmud said the council decided to put off the TDC until the next state election to enable party delegates and observers to be briefed on the Ninth Malaysia Plan, in place of the TDC later this month.

However, it was reported that the party headquarters had received more than 30 complaints from members about alleged irregularities at branch meetings, which reflects Adenan's explanation.

Adenan also said another reason for the postponement was to take advantage of the increase in the number of state constituencies from 62 to 71 which had already been approved by both the state assembly and Parliament.

Consequently, the party's divisions would be increased from 62 to 71. The motion was unanimously approved by the delegates.

Taib, in his opening speech at the meeting yesterday, did not hint on the state election date nor comment on his retirement.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.