Seven days of mourning as mark of respect for Adenan
KUCHING: The state will observe seven days of mourning from yesterday and state fl ags will be flown at half mast to observe the demise of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
When announcing this at a press conference in Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg also said today had been declared a public holiday
He said Adenan, 72, will be laid to rest at the Semariang Muslim cemetery after the Zohor prayers today.
Members of the public can pay their last respects to Adenan at the state mosque in Petra Jaya from 10.30am, he said.
He also announced that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would be coming over to pay his last respects to Adenan.
On a personal note, Abang Johari said he had lost a personal friend and village mate when Adenan passed away.
Adenan, also Tanjung Datu assemblyman, passed away at 1.24pm yesterday at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan due to heart failure. He was admitted to the centre four days ago.
Born on Jan 27, 1944, the late
His demise is a great loss to Sarawak and the country Malaysia. He was a man of vast experience. He brought stability in state politics.
Adenan was appointed Chief Minister of Sarawak on March 1, 2014.
“His demise is a great loss to Sarawak and the country Malaysia. He was a man of vast experience. He brought stability in state politics.
“He was instrumental in the fight to take back state’s rights from the federal government. He had served the people well. He excelled in administration under the helm of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” said Abang Johari.
“He had won so many elections in Muara Tuang (state constituency) and Batang Sadong ( parliamentary constituency). He had served in both state and federal governments. He had a lot of ideas. He helped so many NGOs. He mixed well with people from all strata of society. Sarawakians in particular would feel the loss,” he added.
Adenan, a lawyer, took his graduate studies in Australia. He left behind wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, six children and several grandchildren.
Abang Johari avoided the issue of succession in state administration, saying all have to pay respects to Adenan fi rst.
With the passing of Adenan, the Chief Minister’s post becomes vacant and a state by- election at Tanjung Datu has to be held.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani were present at the press conference.
Both Abang Johari and Uggah said they did not expect Adenan to pass away so soon as he was in a jovial mood even on Tuesday.
Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Chief Minister