Long-serving Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud has indicated yet again that he intends to keep his post after the state elections, for a part or all of the new five-year term.

This has nailed rumours that have been circulating about his poor health and impending political retirement.

Taib used a 90-minute speech at a dinner last weekend to describe at length the dramatic transformation of Kuching since 1963, when the state attained independence by joining Malaysia.

He took over as chief minister in 1981 from his political nemesis and uncle Abdul Rahman Yaacob, and celebrates his 26th year in power on March 26.

Taib was clearly in a happy mood when he turned up as guest of honour at the Barisan Nasional (BN) Kuching Action Team (KAT) dinner for 1,200 people including several state ministers.

KAT, which comprises 18 BN elected representatives from the Kuching area is headed by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president and Satok state assemblyperson Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The members are MPs Fadillah Yusuf(Petra Jaya), Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Santubong), Dr James Dawos (Mambong), Yong Khoon Seng (Stampin) and Dr Tiki Lafe (Mas Gading).

Also in the group are state assemblypersons Ranum Mina (Tanjung Datu), Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru), Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (Pantai Damai), Dr Abang Abdul Rauf (Demak Laut), Daud Abdul Rahman (Tupong), Sharifah Mordia( Samariang), Lily Yong (Padungan), Sim Kheng Hui (Kuching), Chan Seng Khai (Batu Lintang, Alfred Yap (Batu Kawa), Dr Jerip Susil (Bengoh) and Roland Sagah (Tarat).

This is the largest of the three groups of BN elected representatives in Sarawak. The others are the BN Visionary Team in Sibu and BN Happening Team in Miri.

Team-building efforts

Abang Johari received a rare compliment from Deputy Chief Minister and Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) chairperson Dr George Chan who also spoke during the dinner.

Chan alluded to Johari's ability to bring together a big team of BN elected representatives who have "different ideas and approaches to doing things" and congratulated him on his success in assembling the grouping.

On his part, Johari praised the chief minister for the strides made by Sarawak in attaining development and progress. He pledged to help deliver all the seats to the BN in the upcoming state election due by September.

While no date has been set as yet, most BN leaders expect it to be held in May or August.

Last week's gathering was notable for the absence of some of the staunchest supporters of former federal minister and PBB senior vice-president Adenan Satem, who is on holiday in Perth, and treasurer Awang Tengah Ali Hassan.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.