Although it was just a short private visit to see a friend recovering from an operation, rumours mills in Sarawak started churning on its significance and what the duo discussed.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi paid Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud a visit at the latter's residence in Demak Laut in Kuching today.

He flew in at 10.45 this morning and was met by senior state ministers, including Dr George Chan and Abang Johari Tun Openg and federal Natural Resources and Environment Minister Adenan Satem and proceeded straight to Taib's residence from the airport.

The prime ministers emerged from Taib's palatial home in Petra Jaya later where he told a large group of reporters that he was on a private visit to see the chief minister who recently underwent a surgery to remove a tumour from a colon suspected to be cancerous.

"I'm very happy that he is recovering very fast and he has already started chairing meetings, some planning committee meetings. I'm happy to hear that but he needs a litle bit more time to be really active but the progress is very good, so I'm very happy about it," Bernama quoted Pak Lah as saying.

Abdul Taib underwent surgery in Singapore on Jan 11.

Looked cheerful

Sources told malaysiakini that Pak Lah also visited the grave of Taib's mother Hamidah who died last month of old age and offered prayers.

The three-and-a-half hour visit had also led to much speculation concerning Taib's actual health, although he had told the media that he was well and healthy and was already back at work.

A prominent Malay businessman, Amin Satem who is elder brother of Adenan Satem, said he met Taib at Friday prayers yesterday at the state mosque and described him as looking well.

"He was joking with us, and indeed looked cheerful," he said.

But speculation is that his health condition may require him to take a long rest, probably going overseas, and that someone has to be found to take his place temporarily.

The most immediate names that have cropped up are Adenan and Johari.

"t's possible that one of them could act as chiief mnister, so it means there is a need to talk to the two (Adenan and Johari) about such an arrangement," a source said.

Talk is that Adenan is Taib's favourite but whether or not Johari is prepared to serve in a cabinet under Adenan is another matter.

'Gracious of Pak Lah'

Another speculation is about the date of the state elections, which many are speculating that the state goverment may now decide to wait to the end of the term which is either October or November this year.

Some of these subjects were thought likely to be discussed during the prime minister's private visit and during lunch today.

Abdullah returned to Kuala Lumpur around 3 pm.

The chief minister later told Bernama that he was very happy that Pak Lah turned up to pay him the 'how are you getting on' visit.

"It was very gracious of the prime minister to do that," Taib added.

Three weeks ago, after returning from the operation, Taib received Barisan Nasional secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Ahmad. The visit was also a short one, and Radzi did not speak to the press after that.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.