Despite Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's denial last night, rumours of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud's resignation continues to persist and observers say the veteran politician is an angry man.

It is said that Taib has become upset with the premier after the latter 'demoted' a senior leader from his Parti Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) party.

In January, Abdullah had appointed PBB leader Effendi Norwawi as special functions minister from his previous post as agriculture minister.

According to sources, this infuriated Taib as he considered the new position a demotion and mark of disrespect for his party. Effendi was also touted as a possible replacement for the 67-year-old Taib.

They claimed that Taib, who is also state Barisan Nasional chairperson, believed that his party should be given a greater representation in the federal cabinet.

Following his 'demotion', Effendi said he will not be standing for election due to health reasons and it was during this time that rumours of Abdul Taib's resignation began to circulate.

Rumours dismissed

The chief minister, since 1981, had also issued a statement saying that the state BN will not get involved in the choice of election candidates from its de-registered component party Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS).

He said the matter will be left entirely to Abdullah.

Sources added that the rift was also apparent when he sent his party deputy presidents Abang Johari Abang Openg and Alfred Jabu to see Abdullah with the list of PBB election candidates instead of going himself.

Meanwhile, a close aide of the chief minister dismissed the rumours that Abdul Taib will step down and not seek re-election.

"This is not going to happen so soon," stressed the aide, who declined to be named.

Taib could not be reached for comment as he is out of the country, though his exact whereabouts has not been made public officially.

However it was reported in The Star today that he was seeking medical treatment in Singapore.

Taib's party won 10 out of the 28 parliamentary seats in the last elections. Taib won the Kota Samarahan seat by defeating Keadilan's Zulrusdi Mohamad Hol and independent candidate Bujang Bakar.

Taib obtained 13,307 votes compared to Zulrusdi's 5,092 and Bujang's 417.