KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11, 2017: Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has passed away, aged 72.
Adenan became the fifth chief minister on Feb 28, 2014, replacing Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, and was a popular and highly-respected leader.
DAP MPs took to social media in an immediate response to Adenan’s passing.
Sibu MP Oscar Ling tweeted “Deepest condolences to CM’s family.”
Lanang MP Alice Lau posted on her Facebook page: “RIP Tok Nan…. You’ll be missed. Deepest condolences to the family of CM #adenansatem and all Sarawakians.”
Stampin MP Julian Tan tweeted: “Our deepest condolences to Sarawak Chief Minister’s family.”
DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, on Twitter: “Al-fatihah TS Adenan Satem. Deepest condolences to bereaved family. Malaysia and Sarawak have lost great visionary leader.”
DAP Political Education Director Liew Chin Tong posted on his Facebook page: “I am shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely demise of Sarawak Chief Minister Adenam Satem at 1.30pm this afternoon. The Sarawak regional pride that he had inspired under his leadership and his candid style made him an unusual politician in an unusual time.
“His passing is indeed a political earthquake which will have national ramifications. We can expect to see a leadership void in Sarawak and a lack of direction in Sarawak’s dealings with national political development, especially in view of an upcoming general election and the politics of Islamic legislation.
“My deepest condolences to Tan Sri Adenan’s family.”
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, on her Facebook page: “Adenan Satem will always be remembered by all Malaysians. May his soul Rest In Peace with his Maker.”
Selangor State Assembly Speaker Hannah Yeoh, on Twitter: “Deepest condolences to the family and people of Sarawak. May God comfort your hearts.”
DAP Sarawak chief Chong Chieng Jen: My deepest condolences to the family of the late Chief Minister of Sarawak Adenan Satem. He is a good man. During his tenure in office as the Chief Minister, despite the great resistance within the system, he has tried, to the best of his ability, to introduce some change for the betterment of Sarawak. It is sad that time is not with him. As the Chief Minister with such short tenure, he has contributed greatly to Sarawak and shown us that Sarawak can stand up against the might of the Federal Government. His demise is a loss to Sarawak and on behalf of DAP Sarawak and the people of Sarawak, I would like to thank him for his deeds and contributions to the State.
Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, in a statement: “The Penang state government expresses our deepest condolences to Sarawak state government and the family of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who passed away today. The Penang state government is shocked by his sudden demise and we share the grief of many Sarawakians who admired his frankness and forthrightness.
“Tan Sri Adenan will be remembered as one of the few Chief Ministers of Sarawak not embroiled in personal controversy or tainted by public scandal of corruption. In the few years I met him during the regular Conference of Rulers meetings, I found him to be humble, well-read, easily approachable and willing to engage.
“Despite our political differences, we share a belief that there must be decentralization of power by respecting state rights and the inalienable right of local people to decide their own local affairs. Most importantly we uphold the Federation of Malaysia agreement, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, of the special rights and position of Sabah and Sarawak as one of the 3 entities together with Peninsular Malaya that founded Malaysia.
“The struggle to treat all as Sarawakians and Malaysians not pendatang, respect for freedom of religious freedom for non-Muslims, the native customary land rights of native people and a 20% share of of oil royalties should be continued.
“Rest in Peace Tan Sri, you have done your duty to all Sarawakians.”
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