State funeral for Adenan today

KUCHING: The late Tan Sri Adenan Satem will be laid to rest in a state funeral today.

In a mark of respect, the state government declared a seven-day mourning period following the death of the chief minister from cardiac failure on Wednesday.

“Flags will be flown at half-mast and all official functions will be postponed until after the mourning period,” Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg told a press conference on Wednesday.

He said Adenan's remains would be brought from his residence in Santubong to Masjid Jamek in Petra Jaya here at 10am.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be among the dignitaries attending the funeral.

“The public can pay their last respects starting from 10.30am. The burial will take place after zohor prayers (at about 1pm),” Abang Johari said, adding that Adenan will be laid to rest at the Samariang Muslim cemetery.

Adenan, who would have turned 73 on Jan 27, passed away at 1.24pm at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan, four days after he was admitted.

He is the first Sarawak Chief Minister to die while still in office.

He leaves behind his wife Puan Sri Jamilah Anu and five children.

He was appointed Sarawak’s fifth chief minister on Feb 28, 2014, taking over from Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud. On May 7, last year, he led the state Barisan Nasional to a landslide victory in the state election.

A sorrowful Abang Johari also spoke of his shock and personal loss at Adenan’s passing.

“I have been with Adenan since my childhood as we were from the same kampung.

“He was very bright, he mixed with all types of people, he was humble and he had many ideas.

“I worked with him throughout our political careers and also in government. Through the ups and downs of politics, he was very firm,” he said.

Adenan’s successor will only be decided after the official seven-day mourning period is over, said Abang Johari, adding that there was no acting chief minister.

“Let us make arrangements for the funeral first,” he said.

Abang Johari is one of three deputy chief ministers. The others are Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and Tan Sri James Masing.

Uggah said Adenan was cheerful and smiling when he and Abang Johari visited him on Tuesday.

“He was very jovial and asking us about coffee shop rumours. (His death) is a great shock and loss to all of us. He was a great leader and statesman, one of the greatest sons of Sarawak who always fought for Sarawak’s rights,” he said.