A file photo shows Adenan (right) and Abu Bakar watching a football match from the gazebo at Yayasan Sarawak field.
FORMER Yayasan Sarawak (Sarawak Foundation) director Datu Abu Bakar Marzuki remembers vividly his encounter with Pehin Sri Adenan Satem when the latter was first appointed as foundation’s chairman.
The first thing that Adenan did was meeting all the senior officers of Yayasan Sarawak, said Abu Bakar, who is now the Deputy State Secretary and the foundation’s deputy chairman.
“His words that day remain in my mind till today: ‘I don’t want to see any Sarawakian (being) denied of education opportunities because they are poor and cannot pay for their school fees’.
“This proved that he was a people’s person and education was always close to his heart,” he stressed.
Abu Bakar pointed out that Adenan inspired Yayasan Sarawak to take care of the young generation who did not have the opportunities, especially the school drop-outs whom he specifically described as ‘too young to go to work, and too old to go back to school’.
“He tasked Yayasan Sarawak with assisting this group in acquiring technical skills and filling their time with good things to avoid them from being involved in social ills.
“He was a fatherly figure to everyone – one who was very concerned about the welfare of Yayasan staff and emphasised that everyone should be cared for well. He was a serious person by character, but very soft-hearted when giving away aid to the people. “He was also an approachable person – one who was willing to listen to anyone,” he added.
Abu Bakar acknowledged that Adenan’s hobby was fishing – he (Adenan) and his wife Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu would enjoy sharing their catch with staff and friends.
“He was very passionate about arts and history – I remember, every time travelling with him to a new place, his first visit would be the museum or the art exhibition.”
Abu Bakar said Adenan inspired the staff of Yayasan Sarawak to work hard and to uphold integrity as top priority.
He then took a quote from Adenan: “If you’re asked to do something, whoever you are – either you are street sweeper, government officers or leaders – you must deliver it well.”
Adenan also loved the colour green – this is one reason why the Yayasan Sarawak Building at Jalan Sultan Tengah is mostly covered with greenery.
Abu Bakar said the people called Adenan ‘Tok Nan’ as a sign of their utmost respect for him.
“May Allah The One and The Almighty, in His mercy, grant him rest – may his soul be a part of ‘Jannatul Firdaus’ (Heaven of the Highest Order) and on abode of light. Ameen,” prayed Abu Bakar.