In a speech at a meet-the-people session in Bau, Kuching, Chief Minister Adenan Satem was reported by the Borneo Post Online as saying that although it would be difficult to abolish assessment rates altogether, it could be reduced.

In a separate report Adenan also denied he has chosen Tasik Biru incumbent Peter Nansian Ngusie to defend the seat for Barisan Nasional (BN) during the coming state election.

In the 2011 state election, Nansian, then a Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) candidate, won the Tasik Biru seat but left the party in 2014 to join pro-BN Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras).

Adenan said he wanted to meet both SPDP and Teras before making his decision as to who would be nominated, stressing the priority was for a BN win.

Meanwhile, Parti Pesaka Bumiputra (PBB) Deputy President Abang Johari Openg said Adenan did not have to participate in the planned ‘public debate’ organised by the Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) movement next month.

Adenan had his own way of governing the state and fighting for the rights of the people and there was no need for a debate, Abang Johari said when commenting on S4S’ planned forum that may feature speakers from all political organisations in the state.