This is even though PBB regards a win in the by-election as almost a given.

Stephen, who is also state minister for public utilities, said this after members of the state cabinet were sworn in today.

“It doesn’t matter who the candidate is. Tanjung Datu is a safe seat for us.

“We will work very hard to increase our majority. And if possible, it should not be contested out of respect for our late chief minister,” he said.

On who the candidate will be, Stephen replied: “There are so many people. Soon the chief minister will announce.”

PBB will hold its supreme council meeting on Saturday, where the candidate is expected to be announced.

Adenan died last Wednesday, leaving the state seat of Tanjung Datu vacant.

The Election Commission announced today that a by-election for the seat will be held on Feb 18.

PBB sources have told FMT that Adenan’s wife, Jamilah Anu, is the leading candidate to contest the seat.

Another possible candidate is Adenan’s youngest son, Azizul Annuar Adenan, 26.

Adenan won the Tanjung Datu seat in last year’s Sarawak election with a landslide majority of 5,892 votes. The PBB chief defeated PKR candidate Jazolkipli Numan, who received only 468 votes.