The jostling for certain party posts in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) promises to turn the forthcoming party convention into a lively one, contrary to earlier expectations.

Led by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, the party will hold the meeting in Miri from Feb 9-14.

Speculation is rife that Adenan Satem may, either out of frustration at being sidelined or under pressure, relinquish the senior vice-president's post (Bumiputera wing). To date, though, he has played his cards close to his chest.

Adenan, 64, is also member of parliament for Batang Sadong and state assembly representative for Tanjung Datu.

Four other vice-president will not seek re-election - Dr Sulaiman Daud, Mohd Effendi Norwawi, Celestine Ujang and Stephen Wan Ullok.

Party treasurer Awang Tengah Ali Hassan is said to be keen on the senior vice-president's post (Bumiputera wing). His supporters, including several state assemblypersons, are said to be actively campaigning for him.

The ambitious Tengah (photo), a valuer by training, is known to be among Abdul Taib's most trusted confidantes. He holds two important ministerial portfolios - resources management and planning and public utilities - and has supporters in the right place.

Talk is rife that state assembly speaker Awang Asfia harbours similar ambitions in climbing the ladder.

The two deputy presidents - Alfred Jabu for the Pesaka (Iban/Bidayuh/Orang Ulu) wing and Abang Johari Tun Openg for the Bumiputera wing - will keep their posts. The supreme council has decided there will no contest for all top posts from president to vice-presidents.

Likely scenario

However, there is expected to be a keen contest for the supreme council posts. In the Bumiputera wing, 16 candidates are vying for 11 posts, while in the Pesaka wing, 11 candidates are after 9 posts. Candidates and their supporters are already campaigning.

Candidates are said to belong to groups or cliques aligned to certain party leaders who themselves are trying to elbow their way into certain top positions.

There is still a lot of speculation as to what position Effendi will eventually hold. Political observers generally believe the colourful politician is highly unlikely to fade out of the political scene so soon.

He is one of three leaders who Taib (photo) has been grooming to take over the party and government post eventually.

If Adenan drops out, the choice will be a toss-up between Abang Johari and Effendi. Both have special leadership qualities, party support and ministerial experience.

"The choice can be harder (for Taib) when there is so little difference between the two," said a political observer.

There is less intensity in the campaigning for posts reserved for the Pesaka wing, where the focus is on filling slots vacated by those moving up.

Douglas Uggah Embas, the Betong member of Parliament, is likely to take over the senior vice-president's post to be vacated by Ujang.

Uggah's post as PBB Youth chief is likely to go toKemena state assemblyperson Dr Stephen Rundi.

PBB has appointed a former state election officer Wan Alwi Wan Hashim as its convention election committee head ,with Abang Rosli Abang Paleng, a former Election Commission member and secretary, as his assistant.

Barisan Nasional chairperson and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will officiate at the opening of the convention on Feb 10.