A senior Sarawak minister has confirmed meeting Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud in Adelaide, Australia this week.

Housing Minister and PBB deputy president Abang Johari Tun Openg confirmed to The Borneo Post that there was an "official meeting" with the chief minister Down Under.

However, he declined to reveal what the meeting was about nor who else were present.

On Thursday, malaysiakini reported that several PBB leaders flew to Australia to meet Taib in what could be to set his succession plan in motion with the appointment of an acting chief minister while he undergoes medical treatment.

In an immediate reaction to the report, Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan dismissed the rumour that Taib has been unwell, declaring that the long-time leader was in "perfect" health.

The Borneo Post today also quoted Abang Johari as saying that Taib is "very well and fine."

Not true

The minister also told the paper that Taib was in Australia to attend a farewell reception for South Australia Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson who was retiring at the end of this month.

He said Taib had accepted the invitation because the governor was "close to Sarawak".

PBB acting youth chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah also told The Borneo Post that the speculations were simply "not true".

Taib Mahmud, 71, who has led the state for 26 years, announced last year that he was suffering from colon cancer but that he was well after treatment.

Meanwhile, a political source in Sarawak told malaysiakini that Abang Johari, being the PBB deputy president, is considered the frontrunner to be acting chief minister should Taib decide to take a long break for whatever reasons.