Sarawak has lost her beloved chief minister
KUCHING: Sarawak has lost its beloved Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem whom his wife Datuk Amar Jamillah Anu describes as ‘ The best husband a woman can ever hope for’.
Adenan’s demise at 1.24pm yesterday caused by cardiac arrest came as a shock to everyone when at 11am, he still asked his close aides to go out and sit under the sun on the eighth floor of Sarawak General Hospital Heart Centre.
Upon his request, he came out of his room and sat on a wheelchair by the glass wall of the hospital.
The morning sun was warm and the view overlooking the surrounding area was great. No one knew what was on his mind and that he would soon leave behind the people of Sarawak and his beloved family.
He was seen gazing at Salcra Complex not far away on the horizon.
He was still strong at 11.30am but he went for a rest after the break under the sun, according to a close aide.
“About 1.30pm, I was called and told by Datuk Amar Jamillah that her husband had passed away. He was still strong despite his ailment. He was still able to talk about a lot of things. Little did I know that it was the last time I would see him alive,” an aide told The Borneo Post at the Heart Centre yesterday.
Adenan, 73, was admitted to the Heart Centre on Saturday for heart discomfort. He was placed under observation at the Heart Centre and was recovering.
His demise thus came as a shock especially to Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian who is the chief minister’s personal cardiologist and consultant.
“His cause of death is due to cardiac arrest,” said Dr Sim.
Upon his death, many including deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Tan Sri Dr James Masing and Datuk Amar Abang Johari Openg as well as Dr Sim came to the Heart Centre at 2pm.
Head of State Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud arrived at the Heart Centre at 3.04pm. He went straight to the VIP room where Adenan was.
Other cabinet ministers such as Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, Dato Sri Michael Manyin and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Ghani were also present to support his family.
Assistant ministers and BN backbenchers came one after another to pay their respect to Sarawak’s beloved chief minister whose passing is described as ‘shocking’ by most.
There was no wailing or outburst but silent tears. The atmosphere was tense and solemn. A genuine sorrow lingers in everyone’s eyes amid gentle smiles, warm handshakes and intense eye contact.
Jamillah was with her husband all the while. She appeared calm and composed and at peace. She was heard telling Dr Sim that she could take it when she helped to usher his remains to the hearse to transport back to their residence in Santubong.
She told Fatimah that she has
About 1.30pm, I was called and told by Datuk Amar Jamillah that her husband had passed away. He was still strong despite his ailment. He was still able to talk about a lot of things. Little did I know that it was the last time I would see him alive. Aide
had the best husband a woman could hope for and there was no regrets.
The VIP room which normally appears spacious seemed to be very small as families, relatives, politicians and dignitaries went in to bid their goodbyes after which most gathered at the reception area to linger for a while.
The eighth floor VIP ward was crowded between 2pm and 3pm. After 3pm, the crowd dispersed and only families and relatives remained.
About 6pm, Adenan’s remains were moved from the eighth floor of the Heart Centre to his house in Santubong where the wake is to be held.
Members of the public could pay last respects to the chief minister at the State Mosque from 10.30am today (Jan12).
He will be laid to rest at the Muslim Cemetery in Semariang thereafter.