Adenan a man of his word — SRDC chief

SIBU: Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said he personally admired the late Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem whom he said was a man of his word.

He said during his tenure as chief minister, Adenan had approved or implemented 54 policies that had benefited the people of Sarawak.

“To me, he is a noble and patriotic man when he insisted on redeeming the state’s power from the federal government by virtue of Malaysia Agreement 1963.

“Sarawakians and local governments owe him his generosity and guidance in his State Budget 2017.”

Sempurai, who is both shocked and saddened by the news of Adenan’s demise, said his untimely passing would be missed by all Sarawakians.

Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang also said the passing of Adenan was a great loss to Sarawak.

“The people of Sarawak are saddened with the loss. He was a chief minister who fought for his people, especially in narrowing the development gap between rural and urban areas through the rural transformation programme (RTP),” he said.

He also said Adenan had also fought for the rights of Sarawakians in the Malaysia Agreement.

“He was truly a leader who put the people close to his heart,” he said.

Meradong Tuai Rumah Association chairman Tuai Rumah Rantie Ayai said the people of Meradong were shocked by the news of Adenan’s passing as they still needed his leadership to develop Meradong.

“His fight for us will always be remembered and we thank him for his effort to wrestle Meradong seat from the opposition,” he said.