Will he step down soon or is he still keen to go on leading the state as chief minister?

Many are able to read into Abdul Taib Mahmud's speech at a function in Asajaya, 60km from Kuching this morning - the Sarawak chief minister is not about to call it a day yet.

Speaking at the function, organised especially for him to declare his latest intention on his political future, Taib quashed rumours about his health and gave the clearest hint that he is not about to call it a day and hand over leadership to a new leader.

He made the remarks before a crowd of 5,000, comprising mostly members of his own Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) as well as members of other state Barisan Nasional component parties.

Banners calling on Taib to carry on and lead the state were hung in the hall of the indoor stadium and at junctions on the road leading to Asajaya.

The chief minister said he was the least bothered by many kabar angin (rumours) on his health and that he had to move around in a wheel-chair. He asked the people not to listen to such kabar angin , saying they could see for himself it was not true at all.

Taib recently underwent surgery to remove a tumour in his colon suspected to be cancerous. He said doctors were surprised that he had recovered faster than they had anticipated.

The sudden resignation of Adenan Satem, 63, as Natural Resources and Environment Minister, had also fuelled rumours Taib might be stepping down to give way.

In what must have come as a big disappointment to his opponents as well as those hoping to gain from a state leadership change, Taib today made it clear to all and sundry that he would wait until what he called "an able team is in place to take over."

In his 45-minute speech, during which he talked about what he intended to do in the second phase of his 'Politics of Development' for Sarawak, Taib made no mention at all of any one leader in particular as to who should or would take over when he finally made his exit from politics.

But the reference to "an able team", according to observers, is a clear indication he wants the leaders in his party to work together rather than quarrel over positions.

Responsibilities to the people

Taib has been concerned at the intensity of the rivalry within the party among certain groups who have been anticipating that he would step down soon.

"I will not ditch my responsibilities. I want to make sure there is an able team to continue to serve the people of Sarawak," he said. "I just cannot walk away from my responsiblities to the people of Sarawak."

He indicated that there was still much for him to do for Sarawak.

Earlier, Taib told the crowd that he was supposed to fly by helicopter to Asajaya but because of the inclement weather and that he did not want to be late, he decided instead to travel by road.

Some observers noted that this could be a swipe at Adenan, who, according to his detractors, is well known for not being punctual at public functions. Taib also did not mention Adenan's name in the course of his lengthy address.

Abdul Karim Hamzah, the state assemblyperson for Asajaya and PBB Youth deputy leader, in his speech said although there are leaders of calibre who could take over the state leadership "for the moment we want Taib to continue to lead us in Sarawak."

He credited Taib for the social, economic and physical transformation of Asajaya in the past two decades.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.