Supporters of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice-president Adenan Satem have started campaigning in earnest to garner support ahead of anticipated contest for the deputy president's post in upcoming polls.

Over the past few weeks, a series of government-organised development seminars - attended largely by party members - have been held in various towns, including Bintulu, Miri and Song.

Adenan, the federal minister for natural resources and environment, has been attending the seminars, with wide coverage of his speeches in the local media.

In nearly all his speeches, he appears to have made it a point to pay singular tribute to the leadership and policies of PBB president and Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Talib Mahmud.

Adenan has also mentioned the inevitability of leadership change, subtly telling his audience that he is ready to assume greater leadership responsibilities.

The seminars, which are continuing in other parts of Sarawak, are organised by the Chief Minister's Office and the state rural development ministry headed by Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu ( photo ).

It is well known that Adenan commands the confidence and support of Abdul Taib, who has led the state for the last two decades.

Adenan is in the unique position of being a federal minister who has kept both his (Batang Sadong) parliamentary and (Muara Tuang) state assembly seats.

Taib is said to have arranged this when Adenan was nominated for (and won) the parliamentary seat in March last year, so that he could return immediately if needed to serve again in the state.

'Introducing Adenan'

Other party leaders and staunch supporters frequently seen appearing with Adenan at recent public functions and the seminars include treasurer Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, state assembly speaker Awang Asfia Awang Nassar, state assistant ministers Hamden Ahmad and Mohd Naroden Majais and state assemblyperson Julaihi Narawi.

'These seminars are really road shows to introduce Adenan," a participant of a recent seminar told malaysiakini .

"It's quite obvious the aim is to introduce the wannabe deputy president to party members throughout the state, and the road shows go to areas populated by all groups - Malay, Dayak and Orang Ulu."

Adenan is said to be seeking to avenge his defeat at the hands of the incumbent Abang Johari Tun Openg during the 1998 party polls. This time, however, more will be at stake.

"Victory would mean automatic qualification to the top party post in the event that Abdul Taib decides on a tactical withdrawal from politics," said a political analyst.

Some quarters within PBB believe that Abdul Taib's first step in gracefully bowing out after four decades of active politics could happen "very soon".

"Stepping aside as party president doesn't necessarily mean stepping down as chief minister. The next and final step is a question of timing," said a source.

Taib is said to be aware of the views of top federal leaders about his position as chief minister but is clearly biding his time to ensure that his chosen successor "is well entrenched in the party and well accepted by the people".

The PBB supreme council will meet at the end of the month to decide on the party convention date. It is due in September, but there is talk this may be postponed to next year, after the state election.

But there may be pressure not to postpone, from the pro-Adenan group and party members who have been led to expect that party elections will be held soon.

Adenan's supporters have been telling members that it is time to hold "democratic elections" and let delegates decide whom they want in the party.

Convinced of victory

Such optimism, according to political observers, is hardly surprising, considering that the pro-Adenan group, after the strategies and campaigning, is convinced it has victory all wrapped up should there be a contest.

They are said to be in control of more than two-thirds of the 62 divisions. Each division can send 10 delegates, but since the 2001 amendments to the party constitution, divisions under elected representatives are entitled to send five extra delegates.

Since most of the elected representatives are believed to be supporters of Adenan, it is not difficult to predict the outcome of voting.

There will also be 49 delegates from the PBB supreme council, five from its youth wing and five from its women's wing.

It is believed that, with Jabu firmly in control of the Pesaka wing which control 25 (with eight Dayak state assemblypersons) of the 62 divisions, the Dayak vote could be quite solidly for Adenan.

On the surface, it does appear that Abang Johari could find it an uphill battle to retain his post in the event of a contest.

However, his close friend said: "He is definitely defending his post. As to whether he will want to serve under Adenan (if Abang Johari loses), he has made his views known privately to some people close to him."

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.