Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud today confirmed that he has colon cancer but was not in any danger.

He told reporters upon his return to Kuching this afternoon that he was suffering from the early stage of the disease and had undergone surgery in a specialist hospital in Singapore last week to remove the tumour.

Accompanied by his wife and close family members, Taib returned to the state capital in a executive jet. He emerged from the aircraft at 3.25pm looking cheerful and healthy as state ministers and heads of government departments lined up to receive him.

Taib missed his mother Hamidah's funeral last week after he left the state in a hurry for the operation in Singapore and could not immediately travel on doctors' advice.

He told reporters that he had to undergo the surgery to remove the tumour after it was detected he was suffering from the early stage of colon cancer.

This would render chemotherapy unnecessary, he said, adding that doctors who attended to him had given him a clean bill of health.

Back to work

To a question, Taib said he would not take further medical leave and would go back to work, adding in jest that his two deputies (Dr George Chan and Alfred Jabu) would take leave.

After news of the chief minister being admitted to hospital became known, there had been much speculation as to the exact nature of his medical problem. Over the past few days, words were that he was suffering from colon cancer.

Taib's medical condition has also led to increased speculation about his stepping down temporarily and one of the senior ministers will be appointed to act as chief minister for six months or a year.