Why Was Adenan Satem Sarawak's Most Loved CM? Watch This Throwback Video
He will be dearly missed.
By Tang Ruxyn — 12 Jan 2017, 12:19 PM
Malaysians were shocked by the sudden passing of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem yesterday, 11 January
According to media reports, he died at the Sarawak General Hospital Heart Centre in Samarahan around 1.20pm following heart complications.
Adenan first took the office in 2014 and was known for making waves of changes in policies and politics in Sarawak. Most would remember him for leading the movement to restore Sarawak as a partner equal to Peninsular Malaysia by pressuring Putrajaya to honour and uphold the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Fondly known as Tok Nan, the popular leader was loved by many, particularly Sarawakians, so much so that political analysts believe that the "Adenan fever" largely contributed to the landslide victory for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the state election last May.
Many loved and respected Adenan as he maintained a simple life and stayed low-profile.
Image via FacebookAdenan made headlines for his no-nonsense approach in running Sarawak and for that, many respected him. In fact, this video by Free Malaysia Today reminded many Malaysians what he stood for.
Tributes and messages about the late CM have been pouring in ever since announcement of his passing was made public yesterday afternoon
PM Najib Razak said that Malaysia has lost a capable leader following Adenan's demise
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told reporters that Adenan will be dearly missed by the people of Sarawak as it's evident that there is a deep sense of love and admiration for the fifth chief minister of Sarawak.
"It is not just now but I have seen his career through easy and difficult times and I will remember him as a dear friend."
"For me and my wife, it's a loss that is very keenly felt," he reportedly said.
Meanwhile, Penang CM Lim Guan Eng also expressed his condolences and said that he respects the late Tan Sri Adenan for being free of scandal
"Tan Sri Adenan will be remembered as one of the few Chief Ministers of Sarawak not embroiled in personal controversy or tainted by public scandal of corruption."
"In the few years I met him during the regular Conference of Rulers meetings, I found him to be humble, well-read, easily approachable and willing to engage," he said in a statement yesterday.
He added that they both shared common beliefs on the issues of state rights and the inalienable right of local people to decide their own local affairs, despite their political differences.
Local social activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir also spoke good things of the late Adenan
She reminisced about that one time when she met Adenan, but clearly even that one encounter was enough to make a good lasting impression.
"I met Tan Sri Adenan only once. He struck me as someone always quietly observing and thinking of how to do something for his state, Sarawak."
"He was interested in women's issues and wanted to ensure that in his state, women didn't get a raw deal. Sadly he didn't have time to implement what he wanted to do," she wrote on her Facebook today, 12 January.