Sarawak politician Adenan Satem, who had handed his resignation to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday afternoon, is expected to rejoin the Sarawak cabinet, according to a close family member.

Adenan, 63, was dropped as minister of natural resources and environment in the minor federal cabinet reshuffle announced yesterday afternoon.

The lawyer turned politician is a senior vice-president of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), which is led by Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

The relative, who asked not to be identified, said this morning that Adenan is widely expected to take over from Taib when the latter calls it a day.

In the interim, he is expected to be made a state minister, perhaps holding the land and forestry portfolio.

"It was agreed two years ago that his posting to Kuala Lumpur would be a temporary one and that he would come back to state politics after that," the family member added.

Adenan was a senior state minister before he took up the federal post.

News of his resignation has come at a time when the Election Commission in Kuching announced that the training of election officials would be completed before the end of this month.

There is speculation that the state legislative assembly may be dissolved by then and that the election will be held during the school holidays in March.

State-level reshuffle

Last weekend, the prime minister made a private visit to Taib, described as one to visit an ailing old friend, but which was also a discussion between two leaders on important state and national matters.

Taib is recovering from surgery to remove a tumour from the colon, which doctors suspect to be cancerous. He is also expected to carry out a minor cabinet reshuffle.

About a year ago, there was talk that a reshuffle would see PBB deputy president Abang Johari Tun Openg - now Housing Minister - being given more important responsibilities as finance or even public utilities portfolio.

This was said to be part of a deal to assuage any negative feelings arising from Adenan's return to the state cabinet.

There is now talk that Johari may also be made a senator and appointed to the federal cabinet to take over from Adenan. He has so far declined to say anything on the subject.

Another prominent PBB leader expected to be involved in the anticipated changes is party treasurer Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the second minister of resource planning as well as public utilities minister.

Political observers are not discounting his move to a federal post.