KUCHING, Feb 9 — All the four Sarawak Barisan Nasional component parties today reached a consensus to accept Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s decision to step down and support whoever he choses to become his successor, Sarawak BN Secretary-General Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said here today.
He said besides Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) of which Taib is the president, the consensus was voiced through the other party presidents namely Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing (Parti Rakyat Sarawak), Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom (Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party) and Tan Sri Peter Chin (Sarawak United People’s Party).
“The leaders have agreed to work hard to prepare for the state election which is due in 2016 and Yang Amat Berhormat Pehin Sri (Taib) has given the assurance that he will still be around to provide advice to us,” he told a press conference after attending a closed-door meeting between Taib and leaders and supreme council members of the state BN at the PBB headquarters here.
Taib, according to Dr Rundi, had maintained that three PBB leaders – Deputy President Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Senior Vice President Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Supreme Council Member Tan Sri Adenan Satem – would be his potential successor.
On whether the announcement mentioned by Taib yesterday had anything to do with specifying his retirement date and his successor, Dr Rundi replied: “Only him (Taib) and God knows.”
Dr Rundi said although some of the leaders at the meeting did voice their requests for Taib to stay on, their general consensus eventually was to respect his decision and wisdom.
Asked whether a by-election would be called for the Balingian state seat currently held by Taib should he retired, Dr Rundi said it would take place if the Election Commission required it to be held.
He said Taib had also assured that he had great confidence in whoever that he would choose to succeed him as the next Chief Minister.
“He (Taib) assured us that his successor would continue to bring the state to greater heights and protect its interests,” he added.
— BERNAMA
