Three key division leaders in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) want banker Sulaiman Taib, a son of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, to contest the Muara Tuang state seat in the forthcoming state election.

The Muara Tuang division's deputy leader Annuar Hajemi, vice-head Jemat Abak and Youth leader Hamzah Ibrahim proposed this in an official letter sent three days ago to party secretary-general Ambrose Blikau.

The three said in the letter that they consider Sulaiman ( photo ) to be the most suitable replacement for party senior vice-president Adenan Satem, the incumbent in Muara Tuang.

They claimed they have been made to understand that he is busy with work as the federal minister of natural resources and environment and that he would not be contesting the state elections.

Copies of the letter were sent to Taib as party president and deputy presidents Alfred Jabu and Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Contacted today, Hamzah confirmed that the letter had been sent but clarified that the intention was not to force Adenan to make way for Sulaiman.

He said the three had heard of a Universiti Malaysia Sarawak academic being proposed but that they prefer Sulaiman because of his stature and standing in the corporate world.

Meeting held

Hamzah also said he was among key division leaders whom Adenan had called for a meeting at his house in Santubong, near Kuching, on Jan 2.

Adenan told them that he had received many requests from party members in Lundu to contest in the re-constituted Tanjung Datu constituency.

This had surprised many division officials as Adenan had said he would continue to represent Muara Tuang as long as the people wanted him.

Adenan was said to have told the officials that it was up to the state leadership to decide whether or not he should defend the Muara Tuang seat.

However, it is an open secret that Adenan is keen on standing in Tanjung Datu, now a Malay-majority seat following changes to the electoral boundaries.

The Sarawak United People's Party has agreed to give the seat up to PBB in exchange for the newly-created, predominantly Bidayuh state seat of Opar.

In addition, Adenan is said to be quietly campaigning for his son Aziz, a Kuala Lumpur-based businessman who is a PBB Youth exco member, to contest the Muara Tuang seat.

Party leaders, meanwhile, think that it is time for Sulaiman to contest so that he can eventually take over the reins from his father. Several possible seats have been mentioned, including Mukah, Bekenu and Muara Tuang.

Hamzah said his group had not approached Sulaiman before sending the letter. He said they all feel that he would be the best choice for Muara Tuang, which has undergone enormous physical and economic transformation.

Obstacles anticipated

Political observers said it is crucial for Adenan to hold a state seat if he wants to realise his ambition of taking over from Taib as chief minister.

Although Tanjung Datu is strongly behind PBB and BN, Adenan may face certain obstacles if he contests there.

There are several other candidates that the locals would prefer, including former educationist Putit Matzen, former Registrar of Societies Sarawak Wan Mohd Wan Ahmad and a Malay lawyer.

"Adenan may run into obstacles or even be blocked, unless Taib rules out the rest and lets him be the candidate," one party leader said on condition of anonymity.

Adenan is said to have a love-hate relationship with some key officials in the Muara Tuang division.

His deputy Annuar Hajemi, a cucur pisang seller, was not his choice. Adenan's candidate, a private medical practitioner based in Kota Samarahan, was defeated in a straight fight in the divisional contest last year.

The involvement of Adenan's wife, Jamilah Anu, in local politics is also said to have antagonised many members in the Muara Tuang division.

Said a party source: "The three who signed the letter (requesting for Sulaiman to replace Adenan as candidate) could not possibly have acted without an official directive."