Malaysia has lost a credible leader: Najib

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak yesterday led Malaysians in expressing condolences to the family of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

He described Adenan’s passing as a loss to the country.

“Just received the sad news that Adenan has passed away. I will be heading to Sarawak to pay my re- spects. His contributions to Sarawak were huge. Malaysia has lost a credible leader (pemimpin berwibawa). Condolences to his family, may his soul be blessed. Al-Fatihah,” Najib tweeted yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also described Adenan’s death as a great loss to the country.

He said Adenan had contributed much to Sarawak, and his leading of Barisan Nasional to a landslide victory in the state election last year was commendable.

Ahmad Zahid, who is on a working visit to China, conveyed his condolences to Adenan’s wife Puan Sri Jamilah Anu and their children and other family members.

He called on the people of Sarawak to be strong and accept Adenan’s death and the leadership change that would take place.

“He was a very soft-spoken man but very firm in his actions, especially in making decisions. Yet, he was flexible in adapting to changes and modifying approaches for the benefit of not only Sarawak but Malaysia as a whole,” he said.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister and State Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Tan Sri James Jemut Masing said: “I have lost a friend. Puan Sri Jamilah lost a husband. His children lost a father and Sarawak lost a very good and gutsy leader, who called a spade a spade.

“It’s now up to (other) Sarawak elected representatives to move forward in the way Adenan had intended for the state.”