Statement of Dato Sebastian Ting 11 Jan 2017.

suppadmin | January 11, 2017

A very good old friend passed away today – someone known to me for as long as I have been in politics. We had played golf, spent quality time together as friends, and now as a politician, my very own boss.

Tan Sri Adenan Satem passed away at the age of 72 at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan on January 11, 2017, around 1.20pm.

Fondly known as Tok Nan, the popular politician was largely credited for BN’s landslide victory at the state polls in May last year.

Adenan was born in Kuching. He received his early education at St. Joseph’s Primary School, and later at St. Joseph’s Secondary School. He once worked as a journalist and teacher before pursuing his studies in law at the University of Adelaide, Australia. Upon graduating in 1970, he was appointed as Magistrate from 1971 to 1972. He was appointed assistant secretary for the Ministry of Primary Industries from 1972 to 1974.

Adenan’s political career began in 1976 when he was appointed as the legal advisor and a committee member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). Later in 1979, he contested in elections and won twice, the first in a by-election for the Muara Tuang Constituency in January, and the other in the State Election several months later in the same constituency.

Adenan was the Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly for Muara Tuang from 1979 onwards until he moved to Tanjung Datu in 2006 for the state election, where he won.

Apart from that, he also became the Member of Parliament for Batang Sadong constituency after winning the 2004 election, appointing him the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

He, however, gave up the post in 2006 and returned to Sarawak. In 2010, he was appointed Special Advisor to the Chief Minister, and later in 2011 as Minister with Special Functions.

In March 2014, Adenan Satem replaced Abdul Taib Mahmud as Chief Minister. Later that year, in conjunction with the Governor of Sarawak’s 78th Birthday, he was awarded the “Datuk Patinggi” title.

Prior to the 2016 Sarawak state election, he was praised for inspiring support among Chines voters. He won his seat of Tanjung Datu with 93.4% of the popular vote. His party won 72 of the 82 available seats.

He proved to be innovative as Chief Minister. During his tenure, he spoke openly about autonomy for Sarawak and the rights of Sarawakians. He had strong words when disagreeing with policies of PutraJaya.

Sarawak and Sarawakians will miss him, and so will old friends who are close to him.

Sarawak has indeed lost a Wonderful son and magnificent leader.

May his soul rest in peace.