KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 – The executive editor of the New Sarawak Tribune, a newspaper controlled by the family of Tan Sri Taib Mahmud, was suspended for two weeks yesterday, after the daily published a front page story suggesting the chief minister had no intention of stepping down after 29 years in power.

Paul Si, a veteran journalist, had been at the helm of the daily since May, and had been roped in to help reverse flagging circulation.

But it is understood the decision to publish a story from national news agency Bernama entitled “Is Taib testing the waters?” which suggested the chief minister’s recent remarks about considering calling time on his stint at the top was just calculated political move, enraged the newspaper’s owners.

Taib’s youngest daughter Hanifah has now taken charge of editorial control of the newspaper and is personally approving all stories.

The Bernama story had quoted a number of political analysts questioning Taib’s intentions.

Taib must call a state election by next May but speculation has been rife about polls being held anytime now.

But Barisan Nasional’s defeat in the recent Sibu by-election is understood to have caused a rethink in strategies.

The mainly Chinese SUPP, a senior partner of Taib’s PBB in the state BN, is understood to be in major disarray.

A significant faction aligned with powerful Foochow families in Sibu are understood to be agitating for the removal of Tan Sri George Chan as party president.

Chan is the deputy chief minister and a long time ally of Taib.

BN’s hold on the Bumiputera vote in Sarawak appears to be still unshakable but there are major concerns about who will eventually take over as CM from the ageing Taib.

Si’s suspension appears to be a reflection of the concern Taib’s camp has over public perception about him in the state.

The state’s media is tightly controlled by his administration with the Internet and national newspapers having very little influence over public opinion.

The publication of the Bernama story was seen by the Tribune’s owners as a major infraction because of Taib’s sensitivity to criticisms or dissent.

But Si’s suspension also provides the newspaper with a major headache because of the shortage of local talent in the state.

Sources said that on Si's watch, the Tribune was headed in the right direction, with improvements in circulation and the standard of English until the latest incident

Si has more than 20 years under his belt as a journalist, working previously in the Borneo Post, The Star in Petaling Jaya and most recently as a senior sub-editor at The Malaysian Insider.