SPECIAL REPORT Elements of feng shui may well determine the date of the Sarawak elections, given Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud's well known penchant for dabbling in the ancient art of Chinese geomancy.

While elections are not due until next September, there is intense speculation that this could be called as early as Dec 15.

Said a political analyst, who put on the geomancer's hat for this occasion: "You see, if you add 1 and 5, it gives 6... and you add that to 6 it gives 12. So Dec 15 is, to some people, an auspicious date.

"There is a Chinese belief that this is a good year for elections, but that 2006 will not be as good. And if you believe in such things, then you'd want to decide on this year to hold elections."

Sarawak government and opposition politicians are reading their own meaning into Abdul Taib's response while in Miri last week.

Asked by reporters to comment on speculation that the elections would be called this year, Abdul Taib - who is also the state Barisan Nasional chairperson - said: "Maybe this year, maybe next year..."

Following changes to electoral boundaries, nine more seats have been added to the current total of 72.

'Word is out'

Behind the scenes, it is clear that Abdul Taib is moving to prevent a showdown between rival factions in his party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), led respectively by deputy president Johari Tun Openg and senior vice-president Adenan Satem.

At the supreme council meeting on Aug 8, Abdul Taib had cleverly steered the party away from another acrimonious quarrel, by getting members to defer party polls to after the state elections.

A political aide to Abdul Taib said this has also cleared the way for state elections to be held any time, adding that he "would not be surprised if he should hold it in December".

A PBB state assistant minsiter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said party leaders were told last week to prepare for elections and that December is being bandied about as a possible month.

Other BN component parties in the state - Sarawak United People's Party (Supp), Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party and Parti Rakyat Sarawak - are taking heed of the excitement to put their election machinery into gear as well.

Opposition views

Opposition State Reform Party president Dr Patau Rubis (left) said "if PBB's internal problems are all resolved, then early elections are possible".

Apart from the factional rivalry in PBB, unresolved issues include that of the 'partyless five' (elected representatives of the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak) and the formula for distribution of seats.

DAP state assemblyperson for Kidurong, Chiew Chin Sing (right), said state government leaders, including Abdul Taib, had been particularly active on the ground over the past six months, including meeting party members.

Chiew said Supp has also introduced its likely candidate Paul Yong to the public in Kidurong. Yong runs a community service centre and has been going round to meet the people.

"I carry on with my usual work to take up the people's complaints with the relevant authorities and in the legislative assembly," he said.