There is a growing chorus of support for Sarawak's long-serving chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, 69, to continue leading the state.

The latest is a pledge of support for his leadership from all the 61 state Barisan Nasional state assemblypersons in the 62-member state legislature.

The pledge was made during the weekend on behalf of the BN elected representatives by the Legislative Assembly Speaker Awang Asfia Awang Nassar.

Asfia, who is also a PBB state assemblyperson, said "Taib's services are still needed before, during and after the state election."

There had been rumours that Taib would step down temporarily because of health reasons to allow for an acting chief minister, following former Natural Resources and Environment Minister Adenan Satem's abrupt return from Kuala Lumpur 'to play a more active role in Sarawak politics.'

After Taib quashed all the rumours surrounding his health at a public function in Asajaya last week, one leader after another in his Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) came forward to declare their support for his leadership.

Among the first was Adenan, the party's senior vice-president, who also said whether or not he would contest in the forthcoming state election would be a matter for the party leadership to decide.

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According to Utusan Sarawak today, Jepak state assemblyperson Talib Zulpilip was quoted as saying that the people should continue to support Taib's leadership for continued political stability and smooth implementation of development programmes.

Care for Sarawak

PBB deputy secreatry-general Bolhassan Di, who is the state assemblypeson for Beting Maro and state assistant minister in the Chief Minister's Department, said the people welcomed Taib's announcement that he would continue to lead the state.

He added that Taib's decision showed he cared more for the state than his own self.

A Pusa community leader Penghulu Haji Sebli Seni, 53, said from the health and age point of view, he believed Taib was still able to continue his service as chief minister.

PBB Beting Maro division vice-chairperson Haji Zaidi Pandi@ Pendi, 55, said Taib's decision to only hand over the leadership after an able team is in place is not for his own personal benefit.

He said the decision is a wise one because Taib wants to ensure that the BN continues to rule Sarawak.