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Adenan Satem

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Satem is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Adenan. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Pehin Sri Haji
Adenan Satem
SBS DP DGSM DA PSM PNBS PPB JBS
عدنان صتيم‎
Adenan in 2016
5th Chief Minister of Sarawak
In office
1 March 2014 – 11 January 2017
GovernorAbdul Taib Mahmud
DeputyAlfred Jabu Numpang (1976–2016)[1]
Douglas Uggah Embas (2016–present)
Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg (2016–2017)
James Jemut Masing (2016–2021)[2]
Preceded byAbdul Taib Mahmud
Succeeded byAbang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg[3]
President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu
In office
1 March 2014 – 11 January 2017
Preceded byAbdul Taib Mahmud
Succeeded byAbang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Batang Sadong
In office
2004–2008
Preceded bySukinam Domo
Succeeded byNancy Shukri
Majority9,732 (2004)
Member of the Sarawak State Assembly
for Tanjung Datu
In office
20 May 2006 – 11 January 2017
Preceded byRanum Mina
Succeeded byJamilah Anu
Majority4,136 (2006)
3,216 (2011)
Member of the Sarawak State Assembly
for Muara Tuang
In office
1979–2006
Succeeded byMohamad Ali Mahmud
Majority8,272 (1991)
9,708 (2001)
Sarawak Minister with Special Functions
In office
6 June 2011 – 28 February 2014
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byOffice vacant
Personal details
Born
Adenan bin Satem

(1944-01-27)27 January 1944
Kuching, Empire of Japan (now Malaysia)
Died11 January 2017(2017-01-11) (aged 72)
Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
Resting placeSamariang Muslim Cemetery, Kuching, Malaysia
CitizenshipMalaysian
Political partyParti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu
Other political
affiliations		Barisan Nasional
SpouseJamilah Anu
Children4 (including Azizul)
Alma materUniversity of Adelaide (LLB)
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionLawyer

Adenan bin Haji Satem (Jawi: حاج عدنان بن حاج صتيم; 27 January 1944 – 11 January 2017), popularly known as Tok Nan, was a Malaysian politician who served as the fifth chief minister of Sarawak from March 2014 to his death in January 2017. During his tenure, Adenan held the position as the President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), which is part of the Barisan Nasional coalition.[4] He was of Malay descent.[5][6] He is referred to as the Father of Sarawak Unity (Bapa Perpaduan Sarawak).[7]

Early life

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Adenan was born in Kuching, Sarawak during its occupation by Japan in World War II. He received his early education at St. Joseph's Primary School, and later at St. Joseph's Secondary School.[8] He once worked as a journalist and teacher before pursuing his studies in law at the University of Adelaide, Australia.[9][10] 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.[11]

Political career

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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)[12] 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 third Sarawak state election several months later in the same constituency. Adenan was the member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Muara Tuang from 1979 onwards until he moved to the Tanjong Datu constituency for the 2006 state election, where he won. Apart from that, he also became the Member of Parliament for Batang Sadong after winning the 2004 general election. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi appointed him as the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. He, however, gave up the post in 2006 and returned to Sarawak. In 2010, he was appointed as the special advisor to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, and later in 2011 as State Minister with Special Functions.[8]

Adenan played a role in the 1987 Ming Court Affair, a crisis that involved a power tussle between Abdul Taib Mahmud and the then governor Abdul Rahman Ya'kub. Abdul Rahman was the previous chief minister and Taib's uncle. The crisis helped trigger the 1987 state election after four ministers and three deputy ministers aligned to Abdul Rahman resigned from Taib's cabinet. Adenan sided with Taib, who emerged as the victor in the crisis. Two years earlier, Adenan was appointed by Taib as PBB publicity chief as the former sought to purge Abdul Rahman's influence in the party. In 1987 soon after the seven resignations, Adenan was appointed as the state minister for land development in the Taib cabinet.

Chief Minister

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In March 2014, Adenan Satem succeeded Abdul Taib Mahmud as Chief Minister of Sarawak. He officially took the oath of office in a ceremony held at Astana on 28 February 2014,[13][14][15] Later that year, in conjunction with the Governor of Sarawak's 78th Birthday, he was awarded the "Datuk Patinggi" title.[16] Prior to the 2016 Sarawak state election, he was praised for inspiring support among Chinese voters. He won his seat of Tanjung Datu with 93.4% of the popular vote. His party won 72 of the 82 available seats.

Relationship with Peninsular Malaysia

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As a chief minister, he clashed with federal government from time to time despite his party being part of the ruling federal coalition. He spoke openly about strengthening Sarawak's autonomy[17] and called for higher state's share of petroleum royalty, much to the consternation of Putrajaya and the national oil company Petronas.[18] Among other issues he disagreed with the federal government included official recognition for Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).[19] During his capacity as chief minister, he also announced that Sarawak has adopted English as the official language of the state's administration, apart from Bahasa Malaysia.[20] Malay language activists have criticised Adenan for making English as one of the official languages of Sarawak.[21]

Adenan also advocated the policy of 90% of all teachers from Sarawak should be Sarawakians because only people from Sarawak are sensitive to local needs. He further suggest that educational matters should be handled by the state government so that the rural schools are better looked after. His stance has received criticism for promoting regionalism in a country. Sarawak also started to recognise UEC, in contrast to federal government that does not recognise the UEC certificate.[21] Najib Razak, the then head of the federal government responded positively to demands made by Sarawak. He also appointed a committee, co-chaired by Nancy Shukri (Sarawak) an Anifah Aman (Sabah) to study the devolution of powers to Sabah and Sarawak under federal constitution. At the same time, the federal government leaders was preoccupied with various issues such as resignation of deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin for protesting against 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, Sabah State Water Department corruption probe, and economic slowdown due to low prices of raw materials.[21]

Meanwhile, the opposition leaders from the Peninsular Malaysia has held negative opinions regarding Adenan's pronouncements. Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad stated that such acts would weaken the authority of the federal government.[21][22][23] Other leaders such as Mohamad Sabu and Azmin Ali stated that Najib had failed to check Adenan from demanding more from the federal government.[21] Adenan's action of barring opposition leaders from Peninsular Malaysia from campaigning in the state of Sarawak during 2016 Sarawak state election further exacerbates the negative sentiments from the opposition camps.[24][25][26]

Besides, Adenan also reinstated that Sarawak would not secede from Malaysia as "it was the wisest decision made by Sarawak 53 years ago".[21]

Death

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On 11 January 2017, Adenan died of heart attack at the Sarawak Heart Centre, Kota Samarahan, aged 72 years old.[27] The untimely demise is the first occurrence to a serving Sarawak Chief Minister. He was laid to rest at Samariang Muslim Cemetery in Kuching.[28]

His death was mourned by Sarawakians throughout the week, and many leaders attended his funeral in Kuching.[29]

Credentials

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His other credentials were:

Honours

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Honours of Malaysia

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References

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  1. ^ Sulok Tawie (21 March 2016). "After 43 years, Sarawak deputy CM Alfred Jabu to quit politics". Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  2. ^ Adib Povera; Esther Landau (13 May 2016). "Sarawak unveils new cabinet lineup, featuring three deputy s". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 14 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Abang Johari Ketua Menteri Sarawak yang baharu" (in Malay). Sinar Harian. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Minos: Adenan will help SUPP and SPDP". The Borneo Post. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Adenan Ketua Menteri Sarawak Kelima" (in Malay). mStar. 13 February 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  6. ^ Zabidi Saidi (14 February 2014). "Adenan Satem: Pilihan Siapa?" (in Malay). Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  7. ^ "Talks on devolution of power highlight of Adenan Satem's leadership". Bernama. Astro Awani. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b Dorge Rajah; Margaret Apau (12 February 2014). "Adenan, the Chosen One". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  9. ^ "Talking to Adenan Satem – Sarawak's next Chief Minister". Borneo Insider. 15 February 2014. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  10. ^ "'Back in favour' Adenan Satem steps into Sarawak's hot seat". The Ant Daily. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  11. ^ "Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Adenan Bin Haji Satem". Official website of the Chief Minister of Sarawak. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Incoming Sarawak CM has colourful". The Edge Markets. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Adenan sworn in as new Sarawak CM". Bernama. Malaysiakini. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  14. ^ "Adenan Satem sworn in as Chief Minister of Sarawak". The Straits Times. 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  15. ^ Zora Chan (28 February 2014). "Adenan Satem sworn in as Sarawak Chief Minister". The Star. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  16. ^ Peter Sibon; Lian Cheng (13 September 2014). "Adenan a Datuk Patinggi". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  17. ^ "CM's call for more state autonomy reflects sentiments of Sarawakians, says political observer". The Borneo Post. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  18. ^ Richard T.W. (12 August 2016). "Adenan: We'll scrap permits if Petronas doesn't cooperate". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  19. ^ Jonathan Chia (5 November 2015). "CM: Putrajaya's UEC stand 'stupid'". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  20. ^ Tawie, Sulok. "Sarawak makes English official language along with BM | Malay Mail". www.malaymail.com. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  21. ^ a b c d e f Mersat, Neilson Ilan (2017). "REALIGNMENT OF STATE–CENTRE RELATIONS: The Adenan Factor in Sarawak". Southeast Asian Affairs 2017. ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute. pp. 221–234. doi:10.1355/aa17-1m. JSTOR 26492604. Retrieved 19 May 2022. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  22. ^ Nik Man, Nik Umar. "Kini Najib perlu melayan tuntutan Sarawak, kata Dr Mahathir (Now Najib has to treat requests from Adenan)". Sarawak Voice. Archived from the original on 24 July 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  23. ^ Hunt, Luke (11 May 2016). "Malaysia's Najib Has Little to Cheer Over Sarawak Triumph". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  24. ^ "Mat Sabu: Najib Tak Berani Tegur Adenan Satem (Mat Sabu: Najib don't dare to criticize Adenan)". Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  25. ^ Alhadjri, Alyaa (1 May 2016). "Azmin defiant of 'arrogant' Adenan, to try luck on May 4". Malaysiakini. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  26. ^ "Hannah Yeoh: Do Not Allow Adenan To Put Up Walls Around Sarawak In The Name Of Protection". Media Rakyat. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Adenan passes away". The Borneo Post. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  28. ^ "Adenan Satem: 46-acres park in Kuching in memory of late Sarawak CM". www.ibtimes.sg. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  29. ^ hermesauto (11 January 2017). "Sarawak observes 7-day mourning for late Chief Minister Adenan; funeral on Thursday". The Straits Times. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Semakan Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat".
  31. ^ "Late Adenan Satem and former Sarawak head of state lead state awards". Malay Mail. Bernama. 9 September 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
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Media related to Adenan Satem at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by Chief Minister of Sarawak
2014–2017 		Succeeded by
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