PBB gives Taib mandate to name next CM

Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

KUCHING: Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has been given the mandate by PBB to nominate his successor, paving the way for his retirement.

Taib said he would make an announcement “in two days” after a five-hour supreme council meeting here Saturday.

Permanent chairman Datuk Amar Asfia Awang Nassar said the party had passed a resolution during the meeting to give the mandate to Taib to nominate a successor of his choice to be the next chief minister.

“Whoever is nominated by (Taib) will receive unanimous support from the party.
“The new man will be the one leading the state Barisan Nasional in the next state election,” he said.

Asked whether this meant Taib would step down before the end of the current term in 2016, Asfia said he did not rule out that possibility.