KUCHING: The untimely death of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem around 1.20pm yesterday came as a huge shock to everyone.
From state cabinet members and prominent figures to members of the federal cabinet, many expressed their condolences and sadness over the demise of Adenan, who despite being in office for less than three years, had managed to win over the hearts of all Sarawakians with his determination to fight for Sarawak’s rights, bringing stable politics to the state and more importantly made significant contribution to the livelihood of the people in Sarawak.
• State legal counsel Datuk JC Fong
Sarawak lost a great leader and a true Sarawakian. Since his student days at St Joseph’s, he was very passionate about safeguarding Sarawak rights and interests.
His short time in office demonstrated that passion and his deep concern that the constitutional safeguards must never be allowed to be eroded. On a personal level, I have lost a dear friend whom I first knew in school. I last saw him in hospital on Tuesday night and when I left him, he held my hand to say farewell.
• Datuk Bandar of Kuching North (DBKU) Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai
Too soon, we are going to miss him dearly. No more ‘ooo ha’ from him, no more ‘Young Ones’ from him, no more ‘you you’ from him. Sad day indeed. He’s the one who fought for our rights. He’s the one who brought us closer together like never before.
He’s the only one whom we listened to whenever he spoke. A huge loss for Sarawak and Sarawakians.
• Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali
I am deeply saddened and shocked by the news of the passing of Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem today (yesterday). I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the late chief minister and pray that they will be able to go through this difficult time with patience and fortitude.
Tan Sri Adenan’s departure is a great loss not just to Sarawak but also to the country. His immeasurable years of selfless service will always be remembered.
• Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (via his Facebook page)
May the family of the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem remain strong on his demise. Condolences and Al-Fatihah. It’s a sad day for all especially Sarawak. It is a loss of a significant figure who had contributed so much and whom I respected dearly. May he rest in peace.
• Ba Kelalan assemblyman and state PKR chairman Baru Bian
We have lost a chief minister who truly cared about Sarawak and Sarawakians of all races, ethnicity and religions. He chose to carry on with his role as chief minister even though his health was declining. He did his best for Sarawak and I have the greatest respect for him. My party members and I offer our deepest sympathy to Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu and family on their great loss.
Rest in Peace, Tan Sri Adenan.
• State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen
My deepest condolence to the family of the late Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem. He was a good man. During his tenure in office as the chief minister, despite the great resistance within the system, he had tried, to the best of his ability, to introduce some changes for the better for Sarawak.
It is sad that time was not with him. As the chief minister with such short tenure, he had contributed greatly to Sarawak and shown us that Sarawak can stand up against the might of the federal government. His demise is a loss to Sarawak and on behalf of DAP Sarawak and the people of Sarawak, I would like to thank him for his deeds and contributions to the state.
• Batu Lintang assemblyman and State PKR vice chairman See Chee How
During his reign as the Chief Minister of Sarawak, though barely three years, I have no doubt that Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had carved his name in the hearts of Sarawakians. We have lost a true and favourite son of Sarawak today.
In the three years, he had been an honourable statesman. Most exceptionally, he had been open to ideas from the opposition bench. He will be remembered for his strong conviction to safeguard and champion the rights of Sarawakians (and Sabahans) within the Federation, hallmarked by the two motions on the autonomous rights and powers of Sarawak unanimously supported by all elected representatives in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
The late chief minister has his legacy in starting the discussion and deliberation with the federal government for the autonomy and devolution of powers to Sarawak. It is the obligation and duties of all political leaders from the ruling and opposition benches to work together and lead all Sarawakians to continue the cause to honour this great statesman.
• Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was a great leader. His demise is indeed a great loss to the people, Barisan Nasional, Sarawak and to the nation. Even in only a very short time that he was the chief minister of Sarawak, he had done a lot for the people of Sarawak.
He was very popular simply because he could feel and see what the common grassroots people could see and feel, and so he would make decisions and create polices that are indeed for the common people, the weak and the helpless. Tan Sri Adenan was fast becoming the rakyat’s champion throughout the nation due to his down-to-earth, practical, bold, sincere, honest, determined, fair, conscious, righteousness style of leadership. His passing is a great loss to all of us.
• Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang
It is indeed a sad day for Sarawak. It is one of the saddest days of my life. I guess all along we all know that the chief minister’s health had not been good of late but I kept hoping that the Almighty will give him many more years to continue leading Sarawak. He was a good man, a good leader, a good father and husband and a good brother to me. No words can describe the sadness I feel right now but I will work hard to continue his legacy and his dreams for Sarawak.
• Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa
It’s a very sad day indeed for all of us in Sarawak and I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the late Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s family. Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had done a very good job as chief minister to the people of Sarawak. All Sarawakians including the people in my constituency will grieve during this sad period and we will forever remember him for what he had done.
• Kuching South City Council mayor Datuk James Chan
The late Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was a great man and one, all of us will truly miss. His style and his charisma and all his comments were always well received by the people. I always loved to hear his speeches which made practically all of us laugh but at the same time, he still managed to get his message across.
He was so simple and always straight to the point. My last mayorship appointment when I met him in his office lasted only just a few minutes. From my round in MBKS areas these past three years, everybody regardless of race loved our chief minister because we all could see he really fought for all races.
He was a true Sarawakian fighting for Sarawakians. He was a man of integrity, sincerity, caring, financially conscious, careful, and a man of knowledge. All his policies adopted so far have made Kuching City and Sarawak alive, liveable and peaceful and it has given the people real hope and aspiration for a better Sarawak of tomorrow.
• Kuching Chinese Community Charitable Trust Board chairman Dr Chou Chii Ming
We have lost a great chief minister loved and respected by all Sarawakians. His political frankness, people first, fairness to all races and his political objectives as manifested in his 53 principles and actions in the 11th state election manifesto are very outstanding and exemplary. They are now his very valuable legacy of politics for Sarawak’s political leaders to follow. His demise is untimely. We have lost a great political leader. We shall always remember him and cherish his services to Sarawak and people of Sarawak.
• Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Group chief executive officer Shabini Suhaili
Sarawak Energy joins all Sarawakians in mourning the loss of our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem. ‘Tok Nan’ had always held Sarawak close to his heart, watching over the best interest of the Sarawak people. His strong and able leadership and courage to speak from the heart will continue to inspire us.
We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and loved ones.
He shall be dearly missed. Al-Fatihah.