Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said he is 'not in a position to make any decisions on the date' for the state elections.

His comment made during a press conference today is clearly to end the intense speculation that the state legislative assembly is to be dissolved by the end of this month and the polls will be held next month.

The present five-year term of the state government ends on Nov 16.

"But I can guarantee you, it will be held this year," said the chief minister, adding that "politics is a lot of strain before I can make up my mind."

Taib, who is still recovering from a surgery to remove a tumor in his colon, was probably referring to the unsettling problems not only in his own Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB) but other Barisan Nasional component parties such as Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and to a certain extent, the Sarawak United People's Party (Supp).

'Still trapped'

The veteran politician also indicated that he would not step down any time soon despite his health complications.

Using former tourism minister Leo Michael Toyad, who was dropped from the cabinet, as an analogy, Taib said the former was a free man while he is 'still trapped for some time'.

He also quashed speculation about Toyad playing an active role in Sarawak politics. He said the former minister would help the state but not in a political post.

At a separate press conference later, Toyad said although he was no longer in the cabinet he would continue to serve out his sixth parliamentary term.

According to him, he would be heading a new state government agency, adding that he would use his experience and knowledge garnered from the tourism sector to help the state.