The list of BN candidates for the Sarawak 10th state election will be submitted to Prime Minister Najib Razak early next month.

Sarawak Chief Minister and state BN chairman Abdul Taib Mahmud said the list was "being finalised but it is not completely finalised".

"I have an appointment with the prime minster. He will pick, sometime beginning of next month (for the meeting)," he told reporters after opening the 6th Building Trade Show 2011 (BTS 2011) in Kuching today.

Abdul Taib was asked on PBB candidates for the upcoming state election with was fixed by the Election Commission to be held on April 16, and nomination on April 6.

Asked on BN's chances in facing the so-called more organised opposition in the coming state election, the chief minister said: "I will leave it to Allah but I'm grateful if BN can get more than two-thirds majority."

Retirement plans

In the May 20, 2006 state election, Sarawak BN won 63 out of 71 state seats, while DAP won six seats, PKR and Parti Cina Malaysia (PCM) through independent representative, each has one seat.

Out of the 63 seats won by BN, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) took control of 35 seats, Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) (12 seats), Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) (eight seats) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) (eight seats).

On his retirement plans, Abdul Taib, 75, said: "I still want to work a bit to keep my time well occupied, but I don't want work under pressure. It is enough."

Last Saturday, the country's longest-serving chief minister since March 1981, said he would step down as chief minister mid-way in the new term to ensure a smooth and orderly leadership transition.

- Bernama