Sarawak's long-serving Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud has said it again - that he will press on in spite of age so as to not to disappoint the people.

"When I see our people, their hopes and how much they believe that I can help change their lives for the better, I feel that whatever the problem, it is worth trying to solve it because the people have given me so much faith," he said at a state Barisan Nasional (BN) dinner celebrating his 25th anniversary as chief minister yesterday.

"I cannot disappoint them, so I have to work harder."

However, in perhaps the clearest message to date on his immediate political future, Taib also indicated to leaders of his party Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Supp, PRS and SPDP that they must expect him to eventually step down from his post.

He further indicated that, even when he decides to step down, he will not withdraw completely from politics but may remain in the state cabinet as a mentor minister.

"I can watch either from the top or from the bottom.........," he said cryptically.

Taib said he has prepared PBB to ensure continuity of leadership just as the Chinese-based Supp has. He called on the other two Dayak-based parties SPDP and PRS to do likewise by putting in place their succession plans.

"Taib's message is clear - he and he alone will decide on the timing. No one can pressure him to step down," a political analyst told malaysiakini.

Change of perception

Reports and photographs in leading local English-language daily Borneo Post and Chinese-language dailies of three major events that Taib attended in and around Kuching yesterday were revealing of a recent change in perception among political parties and the media on the question of leadership change.

PBB senior vice-president Adenan Satem, the man everyone thought was going to take over as acting chief minister until recently, has disappeared from the limelight.

Vice-president Effendi Norwawi has not been seen at some of the more important party functions following his appointment as minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

A party leader, who asked not to identified, said the flamboyant politician probably prefers to keep a low profile for the time being after the publicity surrounding his former wife Faridah's legal suit for his failure to honour the terms of their divorce settlement.

PBB deputy president Abang Johari Tun Openg has been seen increasingly with Taib at public functions over the last two days.

The inaugural issue of Eastern Times on Sunday had no comment from Adenan on Taib's leadership. It published comments from various leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu and Abang Johari.

There are persistent rumours that Adenan's disgruntled supporters are canvassing signatures from elected representatives to force an early change in the state leadership.

A close relative of Adenan, when asked the reason for the signature campaign, said he was not aware of its purpose. He said Taib is in an unassailable position and has "the resources" to continue in power if he wants to.

Most party leaders say the rumours could have stemmed from reports that Adenan's supporters wanted to show that he has the support of a majority of state assemblypersons.

"But this has been overtaken by events now that Taib has said he will carry on," said a BN leader.

At the dinner, Supp leader and Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan said that, if the chips are down, the party would stand by Taib.

Jabu , who is well known for his use of superlatives to describe Taib's leadership, said he wished he could "clone Taib for posterity".

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.