Jamilah draws strength from family and voters
KUCHING: She has lost her beloved husband, who was also loved by the people of Sarawak, and although still saddened by the loss, life has to go on.
Those were the words uttered by Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, the widow of the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, when met at the family residence in Damai Jaya, Santubong near here yesterday.
Earlier, Jamilah received a visit from Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang at her residence.
Jamilah, who replaced the late Adenan as the Tanjong Datu state assemblyman, said the responsibility towards her children, grandchildren and the voters’ trust in the constituency had become one of her strengths whenever she faced difficult moments after losing her beloved husband.
The late Adenan, or fondly known as Tok Nan, the fifth Chief Minister of Sarawak,
During the fasting month my late husband visited the mosque and surau in Tanjong Datu constituency to give contribution to the less fortunate and the people with disabilities. He also stressed that we should help the groups to enable them to celebrate Aidilfitri just like everyone else.
died of heart complications on January 11 at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan.
Sharing 38 years of memories as his wife, Jamilah said that the late Tok Nan had always reminded her to put priority on giving charity during Ramadan and Syawal months.
“During the fasting month, my late husband visited the mosque and surau in Tanjong Datu constituency to give contributions to the less fortunate and people with disabilities. He also stressed that we should help the groups to enable them to celebrate Aidilfitri just like everyone else,” she said.
This year marks the first time she is celebrating Aidilfitri without Tok Nan, and Jamilah said the memories of spending Hari Raya with him, especially during his tenure as Chief Minister then, welcoming thousands of people from all walks of life who attended their open houses, forever stayed in her heart.
“This year many people came for a visit such as guests from Tanjong Datu, Muara Tuang areas and friends from around Kuching. I am very grateful to the media, people and Tanjong Datu residents who give me the chance to be their elected representative,” she said.
Jamilah added that her late husband had always opened their house for anyone to come without having to make an appointment, especially during Aidilfitri.
“He once said let the people come for a visit either morning or evening, and let them stay for as long as they want as our home is quite a distance, and also to make sure that we served them with food and drink,” said Jamilah adding that ‘ lemang’, ‘ketupat’, chicken curry and beef kurma were among the late Tok Nan’s favourites.— Bernama
Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, widow of the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem