KUCHING: In his first year as chief minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem introduced policies that have positive impact on the people and improved the efficiency of the state government.
In giving this accolade, Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan described Adenan’s people-centric policies such as helping the ‘rakyat’ to get through the rising cost of living as “close to the heart of the people”.
Furthermore, he added, the chief minister’s push for higher oil and gas (O&G) royalty and more local participation in the O&G industry and his fight against graft and illegal logging among others would benefit the state’s economy and its people.
“He has been successful in tackling these issues one step at a time, pulling the plug on illegal logging and reducing crime rate among others.
“Adenan is somebody we can call a true Sarawakian and true Malaysian. He always puts the state’s interest above all. That is why in the short period that he has governed the state, we can see that most of his policies and programmes are people-centric. At the same time, he is very committed to make existing policies and government programmes better,” Awang Tengah said in his speech during a luncheon to celebrate Adenan’s first anniversary as chief minister at Hilton Hotel here yesterday.
He also described Adenan as a simple and straightforward person, who is intelligent and dedicated to his job.
Elaborating on the chief minister’s strong commitment, Awang Tengah recalled the days after the state Barisan Nasional (BN) formed the government with a simple majority in 1987.
He said at that time before every State Legislative Assembly sitting, Adenan would call a few BN elected representatives to his house almost every night to discuss ways to counter issues brought up by the opposition.
Awang Tengah hoped state leaders and civil servants in particular would work hard as a show of support and appreciation to Adenan’s governance while ensuring continuous stability and development in the state and meeting the people’s aspiration.
“Let’s hope that the people will show strong solidarity in the upcoming state election to give our chief minister a bigger mandate and continue to govern so that he can continue his development agenda,” he continued.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Adenan said the job of a chief minister is a heavy responsibility, especially for a state like Sarawak but expressed gratitude to his cabinet members for their strong support and help in his administration.
“With the help of my cabinet ministers, through their assistance and advice, what appeared difficult has become easier. We must work as a team, I cannot carry the burden alone. I’m only human,” he said.
“If I have to choose on which group to follow me, in times of trouble and facing big challenges, I would prefer this group anytime. We have worked together successfully for many years. I can’t see why I cannot rely on them now,” he added.