Adenan won the hearts of many with people-first policies
KUCHING: The late Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had been an outstanding and caring leader and will always be remembered as a true chief minister to Sarawak by many.
Several Sarawakians who paid their last respects to Adenan at the state mosque in Petra Jaya yesterday were all grateful for what Adenan had done for Sarawak, particularly his peoplecentric policies.
Lynn Brodie, 36, a customer development manager, hailed Adenan as a leader who deserved the respect from all races across the state.
“He gave us hope. He united all the races in Sarawak. That’s why I am here today.”
Lynn recalled that Adenan helped Chinese independent schools a great deal besides doing away with the DLL (dan lain-lain) category in official forms for Bumiputeras.
Not only had Adenan given over RM7 million to Chinese independent schools but he had also recognised the Unified Examination Certificate ( UEC), she said.
She added that Adenan had declared English as the second official language in Sarawak.
For Basri Sapiee, Adenan was a unique leader who truly cared for his people.
The 67-year- old retiree said Adenan cared for every community in the state, and he could not be more grateful for the abolishment of toll at the Tun Salahuddin Bridge.
Basri, who resides in Kampung Lintang in Petra Jaya, added that many people were also thankful that Adenan had lowered the assessment rates. “May his soul rest in peace.” Advisor to the Malaysian Indian Ex- Servicemen Association Sarawak branch Col (Rtd) Ratnam said Adenan had contributed a lot to not just the state but the entire nation.
“He implemented 53 policies which have greatly improved the socio- economy of Sarawak. For example, the toll abolishment and reduced electricity tariffs.
“At the multi- cultural level, Tan Sri Adenan Satem had fought for everyone regardless of race and religion.”
Ratnam said even though no policy had directly benefited the Indian community, Adenan’s policies had done good to all the communities.
Homemaker Nancy Bansing, 55, remembers Adenan as a leader for all.
“He was one of a kind. As an Iban, I used to be so worried about my land being robbed. But after Tok Nan took over as the chief minister, he helped us defend our land.
“Now that he passed on, I cannot help but begin to worry about my land. I felt so secure when Tok Nan was in office. I can only hope that Tok Nan’s successor will carry on his legacy.”
Nancy, who lives in Batu Kawa, said she never missed any of Adenan’s functions that took place in her residential area.
“I will never forget his unique greeting ‘Oooh-Ha You-You’.”
Aaron, 29, said: “He holds a special place in our hearts.”
The businessman said Adenan had fought for Sarawak’s autonomy besides having negotiated with Putrajaya and Petronas on the state’s request to increase the oil and gas royalty from five to 20 per cent.
He said whatever policies Adenan had implemented, they were all meant for the people of Sarawak.
Apart from the abolishment of tolls, he said Adenan had also introduced a flat rate of RM1 for ferry crossings throughout Sarawak.
“People admire him for what he had done. He is a very respectable person. As we know, Sarawak lags behind a lot in terms of development but he fought for Sarawak.”
A journalist of 20 years, Lim Lee Ling was not just on duty at the mosque but also represented her father, Lim Swee Seng, to pay his last respects to Adenan.
“My father asked me to pay last respects to Tok Nan on behalf of the Lim family. Tok Nan was an English teacher to my father.”
Lim said she remembered some light moments with Adenan when she was covering the chief minister.
“There was once after I took photographs of Tok Nan, he stopped by and asked ‘Am I handsome?’. I then showed him the photographs I took and told him ‘ Yes, you are handsome’. I remember he smiled heartily.”
The 39-year-old recalled another event held at the State Library where Adenan was seen with some kind of rash close to his right eye.
“I asked Tok Nan what happened, he then said it was a mosquito bite. My impression of Tok Nan is that he smiled a lot.”