Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to tell his Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council members when they meet on March 18 of his decision to stay at the helm and why he is not ready yet to hand over to a new leader.

"We expect to hear from the horse's mouth on his present position as party leader and clear the air once and for all on the succession issue," a council member who asked not to be identified told malaysiakini today.

He also said he expected the subject of party and state elections to be brought up during the meeting.

Interviewed on TV1 last night, Taib said after two senior PBB leaders Adenan Satem and Leo Michal Toyad were dropped from the federal cabinet, there had been much speculation which, according to him, troubled other state leaders and investors.

For that reason, he added, he would remain as chief minister to reassure foreign investors.

Adenan was Natural Resources and Environment Minister and Toyad was Tourism Minister until the recent cabinet reshuffle.

On Adenan, who is PBB senior vice-president, Taib also said on tv that he was still thinking of how to fit him in so he could rejoin state politics actively. Adenan is state assemblyperson for Muara Tuang and Batang Sadong MP.

Most political observers say Taib's latest comments appear to have dealt a big blow to Adenan's hope of ever succeeding Taib as party leader and chief minister.

"Taib has made it quite clear by his comments at a number of places recently that he is angry and upset at rumours that he (Taib) was so sick and is wheel-chair bound and that Adenan was taking over from him as acting chief minister before the polls,' one PBB senior leader told malaysiakini .

"In one function recently, Taib told us he never promised anyone, much less Adenan, that he would be the next chief minister," the same leader added.

Adenan is not expected to attend the March 18 meeting. According to a close aide in the Sarawak Foundation, of which Adenan is chairperson, the former minister is reported to have left for Perth and will not be back for at least two weeks.

Resolve party problems

In the TV interview, Taib also indicated the state elections would not be held so soon as speculated by many people.

He said he was still studying the effects of the fuel price hike and whether some of the internal problems with state BN component parties could be resolved before deciding on an election date.

Meanwhile, some observers say that the latest developments appear to have raised the chances for PBB deputy president and state Housing Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg of being given a more important role in state politics in a post- Taib era.

Johari has played his cards well, and inspite of being provoked by his political nemesis has preferred to remain cool and calm.

"For this, Taib seems to have noticed an important hallmark in his leadership qualities," they say.

He will have an opportunity to make a greater impression on 'the boss' when as organising chairperson he addresses guests at a Kuching Action Team (KAT) dinner gathering in Kuching tomorrow.

KAT comprises BN elected representatives in Kuching and is headed by Johari.

Taib and Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan,who is also Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) chairperson, will also address the function to be attended by about 1000 people.