KUCHING: Sarawakians held candlelight vigils on Thursday evening to remember the late chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
Adenan passed away on Jan 11 last year from heart complications, eight months after winning a landslide victory in the state elections.
At the Waterfront here, about 200 people came to light candles and pay their respects.
Among them was Adenan's daughter-in-law Dayangku Noorhisham Aziz Adenan, who came with her two sons, aged three and seven, and some friends.
"I was very touched to see people coming here because they remember him. It's nice to show my kids what a great person their grandfather was," she said.
Chong Shin Hua, a member of the Kuching Traditional Handicraft Studies Society which organised the Waterfront vigil, said the late Adenan was an extraordinary and incomparable man.
"He did so much for Sarawak. He showed us that we are all Sarawakians regardless of race or religion and he took a strong stand on Sarawak's rights.
"I never met him personally but I've listened to his speeches and I can still hear his voice saying ooh-ha," Chong said, referring to Adenan's trademark greeting.
Clips of Adenan's speeches and singing "I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" were played at the Waterfront vigil.
Similar events were held at Padungan here as well as in Miri, Bintulu, Sibu, Sarikei, Sri Aman and Johor.
In Miri, people from all walks of life gathered at the city recreation square to pay tribute to Adenan.
They sang songs and lay flowers at the candlelight vigil that started at 7.30pm led by Miri Mayor Adam Yii.
"We still remember all the good things Adenan had done for Sarawak and Sarawakians.
"We miss him very much. He is still fondly in our hearts as can be seen by the steady stream of people who are still coming," Yii told The Star.
Adenan became chief minister in 2014 when Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud stepped down.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
