Taib's preparing for his son to take over as Chief Minister of Sarawak - Singapor's style

Grooming Sarawak next Ketua Menteri (Chief Minister), Taib's probably preparing for his son to Take over - Singapore's style?

"You look how Singapore does its succession plan...most Asian countries realise that leadership can be groomed in order to have good leaders. We have not reached the stage where people just walk out and new people walk in," he said.

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, one of the longest serving Barisan Nasional (BN) component party leaders, Sunday finally broke his silence on his potential successor, indicating that it was "too early" to talk on who will take over from him in the future.

He said the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the backbone of the ruling BN government in Sarawak, had been planning "for a long time" to have a good team of leaders in ensuring a smooth transition in the party's leadership.

"Through consensus of the party we will come up with recommendations which will be forwarded to the caucus to identify who will be the top leader," he told reporters on the sidelines of the 11th triennial general assembly at the Imperial Hotel here.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi opened the four-day assembly, themed `Together Facing the Second Wave of Development', yesterday. Taib delivered his opening address to the 1,259 delegates at the closed-door assembly this morning.

Taib, who has been Chief Minister for almost 26 years after taking over the helm of the state's largest political party since 1981, however, said the succession plan would not be executed immediately as "it takes time for the caucus to identify potential candidates".

Recently, PBB set up a caucus in accordance with its constitution to empower its elected representatives to appoint key office bearers, including a new president and effectively the next chief minister, if such a need arises.

Taib's tenure as chief minister of the largest state in the country, had been under the spotlight after speculations that he will step down due to health reason, following an operation for colon cancer earlier last year. This statement by the state BN chief today, had put a damper on the speculation as it gave clear indication that the 70-year-old politician was not about to bow down to pressure and give way.

Taib's being Snubbed ?

Previously Taib had announced that he was grooming three people as his successor but apart from Deputy President Datuk Seri Abang Johari Tun Openg, the remaining candidates - Senior Vice President Datuk Seri Adenan Satem and Vice President Datuk Seri Norwawi Effendi had announced their decision not to seek any nomination for re-appointment ahead of the assembly.

Only 27 candidates will vie for the 20 seats up for grabs in the Supreme Council, the party's highest policy-making body as the key posts from vice-president to president will be left uncontested - so much for democracy.