Taib to make full announcement in two days time of his retirement

by **Cals** Mon 10 Feb 2014, 05:29

Business & Markets 2014

Written by Bernama

Saturday, 08 February 2014 18:46

KUCHING (Feb 8): Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud today said that he will make a full announcement in two days' time over the speculations surrounding his retirement.
Speaking briefly to reporters after attending the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Sarawak Supreme Council meeting today, he said that there would be no snap election after his announcement to retire.
"No. We don't have surprises (that a snap election is going to be held). The party had given me certain indication that everything (after his retirement) will be very smooth. (Other details) I will announce it later at a proper time," he said.
This remark came almost four days after a national daily, Berita Harian, frontpaged a story that he would to be stepping down as the Chief Minister by the end of this month.
Following the news report, Taib had shunned from three official state events that led the speculations to become intense.
Four names have been mentioned to be Taib's possible successor for the Chief Minister's post that he had held since 1981.
They are PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, senior vice-president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, former Natural Resource and Environment Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem and former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Effendi Norwawi.
However, Effendi in a news report today had denied that he would be the successor and would not challenge any decision made by Taib on whom the latter would choose to succeed him.
The other three individuals had to date refused to comment anything on the succession speculation.
Bernama also learnt today that another meeting between Taib and all the elected-representatives would be held tomorrow. – Bernama