Leadership style of ‘Tok Nan’ or ‘Apai Besai’ touches hearts of Sarawakians

KUALA LUMPUR: The passing of their beloved leader Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, affectionately called ‘ Tok Nan’ ( Grandpa Nan) and ‘Apai Besai’ ( Big Leader), will definitely leave a deep mark in the hearts of Sarawak’s multiethnic and multireligious populace.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas) senior lecturer, Prof Dr Jeniri Amir said Adenan went too soon when the people of Sarawak still needed his services to continue to bring development and change to the state.

“At a time when they still need him to champion the people’s lot.

“Personally, I regarded him as a ‘candle’ to brighten up the future of the people of Sarawak, to the extent of risking his own health,” he told Bernama when contacted yesterday. Jeniri said Adenan’s leadership style where he was brave to introduce 55 new policies proved that he much understood the wants and aspirations of people in the state who wanted speedier progress and change.

“Adenan was close to the people’s hearts. Wherever he went, people were comfortable with his ways as he was humble. We could read from his every Facebook entry, definitely they were happy with his ways of getting close to the people,” he noted.

Sarawak- born Abdul Khalid Mahdi said Tok Nan’s death would be deeply felt as he was a much loved leader of the state’s people irrespective of race and religion.

“All of us from Sarawak love Tok Nan, regardless of race, religion and politics,” he said in his latest posting on his Facebook page.

Alfa El Prince, also from Sarawak, also posted on Facebook that Adenan’s passing was like the loss of a father to all Sarawakians who were not ready to part with him yet. “The Sarawak people’s love for him (Adenan) was more than the love for a leader. Everyone regarded him as ‘Bapa Sarawak’ ( Father of Sarawak), our ‘Apai Besai’. A father who had all this while looked after us, fought for our wellbeing and has now left his children who are not ready yet.”

Meanwhile, Joseph Musat in his posting to his Anak-Anak Sarawak di Semenanjung (Sarawakians in the Peninsula) WhatsApp group, said Adenan was always close to their hearts although separated far by the distance.

“During the ‘ Lan Berambeh’ (gathering) last year, Tok Nan was so earnest about ensuring the lot of Sarawakians be cared for wherever they were,” he posted. — Bernama