Taib has decided but won’t tell

CM says next state election could be held any time in the next few months

GOOD TO BE BACK: Taib cuddles his grandson as he is welcomed by Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu (right) and Tan Sri Dr George Chan (second right) upon his arrival at Hornbill Skyways hangar at Kuching International Airport.

KUCHING: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud already has the date of the next state election in his mind.

However, although he had the inspiration, he would not disclose the date just yet.

He spoke to reporters yesterday at the Hornbill Skyways hangar after returning from his pilgrimage.

Taib, who is the state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the state election could be held in any of the 12 months of the year.

“Between now and the actual date of the election, it is a matter of getting prepared,” he said.

The term of the current State Legislative Assembly expires in July next year, but political observers have predicted that the state election would be held next month at the earliest and March or April at the latest.

The state BN has 62 seats out of 71 in the assembly, with 34 held by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), 12 by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP)(including Engkilili assemblyman – Dr Johnical Rayong), eight by Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and eight by Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

The rest of the seats are held by DAP (nine), PKR (one) and Independent (one).

On his pilgrimage Taib said it was very good, adding that he was only thinking about the religion (Islam).

“I have a very good time, and the greatest change was the peaceful state of my mind because I was not working,” he said.

Both deputy chief ministers Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu were present to welcome Taib.

Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Dato Sri Awang Asfia Awang Nassar, Land Development Minister Dato Sri James Masing and other cabinet and assistant ministers were also present.

Source : Borneo Post