Sarawak netizens pour out their feelings for Adenan
We have given him five years. He promised five years too, but didn’t keep his promise! He left us so sudden (sic) …
KUCHING: The usually quiet Sarawakian netizens rose up to express their feelings for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem upon his passing to give him the honour, gratitude and support that he deserved.
Against Sarawakians’ nature of being reserve and shy, many openly voiced out their feelings of sorrow and gratitude to their best and beloved chief minister who had carried himself throughout his three years in office with decency and charisma.
These positive postings of great affection and respect are noticeably from netizens of all races and ages.
To Sarawakians, Adenan was more than a politician. Netizens like Jonathan Wong described him as a grandfather.
Calling him dearly as ‘ Tok Nan’ and upholding him as a hero, many posted that this man of few words but many great deeds would be missed. There was much regret that the ‘ Borneo Legend’ had left too soon.
Netizens Haji Musa Haji Brahim and CH AKon really hoped that Adenan had lived much longer to do more for Sarawak.
“We have given him five years. He promised five years too, but didn’t keep his promise! He left us so sudden ( sic) …” lamented CH AKon.
“I wish so much that he could live till next election to see his transformation journey reap some success. But Allah loves him more. I do hope the next leaders will help to realise his dreams. He (Adenan) was man of his words. His deeds and dedications match no one. RIP Tok Nan,” said Musa.
CH AKon, netizen
Adenan’s demise is a great loss to all Sarawakians — this was one of the most frequently posted comments.
“He is a true leader, fought for what he felt all Sarawakians deserved to get; so close to people’s heart. You (Adenan) will always be remembered by us. Decent men like you deserve to have a special place in the heart of everyone regardless of belief, custom, tradition and race,” said Damien, a teacher.
Besides calling Adenan ‘ the best chief minister ever’, words of gratitude and praise were only posted on BorneoPost Online and other online media sites as well as personal blogs.
Many said “thank you” for the changes brought about by this Great Son of Sarawak and the netizens were sensitive enough to notice these reformative measures or policies were implemented within a short tenure of three years in office.
Netizen Molling Modon described him as “one of the most respected chief ministers of Sarawak”, pointing out that of all the ministers who had passed away “only Tok Nan really put me ( Molling) in tears…sad sad day”.
Another netizen Magnus Torstein dearly addressed Adenan as “orang mude” ( young man) and was worried for the future of Sarawak without Adenan.
“Personally I couldn’t imagine Sarawak’s future without you (Adenan)…It’s a bleak future ahead,” said Torstein whose concern was shared by Yuan Shen, another netizen.
“A shooting star that burns the brightest but sadly for a short period of time. The path that he charted will be his legacy for Sarawakians but who will fulfil it? Who will be brave enough to seize the burning torch and carry it? Or will it just burn out where it drops? For a brief period the people of Sarawak had hope of a better future. Now…” wrote Yuan Shen.
Political leaders may come and go but to netizens such as SK Kho, Adenan was irreplaceable.
“Sarawak lost a true statesmen today ( Wednesday) who is irreplaceable. A man of few words who let his action did (sic) the talking. A remarkable man who had done so much in such a short time for Sarawak. You (Adenan) will sorely be missed,” said SK Kho.
Of the many postings, what netizen Abu Bakar, a retiree, wrote stood out. It was a known fact that Adenan was a keen fisherman but Abu Bakar’s posting was the first time that he was described as a hunter.
“He was a good shooter with his side by side antique double barrel and a good fisherman with his rod hooking mackerels, especially in Bintulu waters.”
Except for a few negative postings that implied Adenan was a puppet, thousands of other postings had positive comments, expressing fondness and respect for Adenan who was truly well loved and embraced by Sarawakians.