Taib has polls date inspiration, but stays tight-lipped

By Vanes Devindran, The Star

KUCHING: Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has given the clearest hint yet that state elections would be called soon, saying he has had an inspiration on the date.

“I have my inspiration but I won’t tell you when,” he said.

Taib, who is Sarawak Barisan Nasional chairman, had just returned from his pilgrimage to Mecca.

He said it was crucial for the state to prepare for the polls but declined to elaborate when pressed by reporters at the Hornbill Skyways hangar yesterday.

The state assembly term expires in July but speculation is rife that Taib would opt to hold elections in March or before the next state assembly sitting in April.

Barisan has 63 seats in the 71-seat assembly, with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu holding 34, Sarawak United People’s Party holding 12, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (nine) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (eight).

The remaining nine seats are held by the DAP (six),PKR (one) and Parti Cinta Malaysia (one).

In the last state elections on May 20, 2006, two independents – Gabriel Adit (Ngemah) and Dr Johnical Rayong (Engkilili) – won the seats they contested.

Adit has since been appointed state PCM chairman and Rayong has joined SUPP.

Some political observers have been saying that the polls could be held simultaneously with the next general election.

Sarawak Barisan leaders were generally supportive of the move to hold state elections soon.