Jamilah misses Tok Nan dearly on his birthday

KUCHING: The absence of the late Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem on his birthday on Jan 27 was deeply felt by his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, said Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.

According to her, Jamilah was the love of Adenan’s life, his true love, who has been with him through the thick and thin of his social and political life.

“Today is Tok Nan’s 73rd birthday. Sadly he is not with us. Allah has called him to rest, leaving us to continue with the many tasks which he had entrusted upon us to do during his 35 months’ tenure as the Honourable Chief Minister of Sarawak.

“We all feel his absence today, very much like how we all felt his presence when he delivered his speeches and serenaded us with his songs during our formal or non-formal functions,” Fatimah said during the prayer service held in conjunction with the late chief minister’s birthday at the latter’s residence last Friday.

She said Jamilah had taken good care of her late husband in his every need.

“Datuk Amar Jamilah is the perfect wife, the perfect woman in his life. He once expressed those magical words of recognition and acknowledgement, uttered in the most touching manner and said with utmost sincerity: ‘Milah, the best thing that had happened in my life is to be married to you’,” said Fatimah.

“She took time to ensure that Tok Nan ate well and ate right. Even during informal functions such as watching the Sarawak football team play on home ground, she would pack healthy snacks for him to munch.

“During formal functions when she was seated at a different table, she would every now and then throw quick glances to ensure he took the right food and avoid those which are not good for his health. And if she was not accompanying him, she would instruct his private secretary and bodyguards to remind Tok Nan to avoid unhealthy food and drinks,” Fatimah added.

Fatimah said such was the effusive love and care Jamilah had for Tok Nan.

“All these acts of love and kindness of a wife to her husband are not left unnoticed. On his part, Tok Nan would take every opportunity in his speech to make reference to his wonderful wife. Words of praise and appreciation were said in many ways and in many forms. He acknowledged her contribution in her charitable work and her holding fort at his constituency.

“To express that mutual feeling of love and respect, it is most appropriate and apt when the opportunity arises and the occasion warrants, Tok Nan would  dedicate a song and beautifully sing one of his favourite songs entitled ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’,” she said.

Faimah related that when Adenan passed way, she went and met Jamilah to share her sorrow.

“I saw the usual sparkle in her eyes was missing and her shoulders drooped. I could sense the sadness of losing the true love of her life. However, in those moments of great loss and utter helplessness, she continued to show her strength, both for the love of Tok Nan, as well as for the things which she knew he felt and fought strongly for. She was there till his last breath, and was there to hear his last few words, ‘Milah, I love you’.

“We are gathered here today, on the 73rd birthday of Allahyarham Tok Nan to both acknowledge and pay tribute to a wonderful leader and his equally wonderful wife – towers of strength.

“Al-Fatihah for Allahyarham Tok Nan. Thank you Datuk Amar Jamilah for being an exemplary wife, an inspiring lady, a pillar of strength for all of us, and teaching us the true meaning of love and sacrifice,” added Fatimah.

Fatimah was leading a delegation of women NGOs and PBB Women’s Wing to pay a courtesy call on Jamilah and her family.

The late chief minister passed away from heart complications at the Sarawak General Hospital Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan on Jan 11.