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Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Pehin Sri Haji
Adenan Satem
SBS DP DGSM DA PSM PPD PNBS PPB JBS
عدنان صتيم‎
Adenan Satem during the Sejiwa Sanada programme at Kota Samarahan.jpg
Adenan in 2016
5th Chief Minister of Sarawak
In office
1 March 2014 – 11 January 2017
Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud
Deputy Alfred Jabu Numpang (1976–2016)
Douglas Uggah Embas (2016–present)
Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg (2016–2017)
James Jemut Masing (2016–2021)
Preceded by Abdul Taib Mahmud
Succeeded by Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg
President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu
In office
1 March 2014 – 11 January 2017
Preceded by Abdul Taib Mahmud
Succeeded by Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg
Member of the Malaysian Parliament
for Batang Sadong
In office
2004–2008
Preceded by Sukinam Domo
Succeeded by Nancy Shukri
Majority 9,732 (2004)
Member of the Sarawak State Assembly
for Tanjung Datu
In office
20 May 2006 – 11 January 2017
Preceded by Ranum Mina
Succeeded by Jamilah Anu
Majority 4,136 (2006)
3,216 (2011)
Member of the Sarawak State Assembly
for Muara Tuang
In office
1979–2006
Succeeded by Mohamad Ali Mahmud
Majority 8,272 (1991)
9,708 (2001)
Sarawak Minister with Special Functions
In office
6 June 2011 – 28 February 2014
Preceded by Office established
Succeeded by Office vacant
Personal details
Born
Adenan bin Satem

(1944-01-27)27 January 1944
Kuching, Empire of Japan (now Malaysia)
Died 11 January 2017(2017-01-11) (aged 72)
Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
Resting place Samariang Muslim Cemetery, Kuching, Malaysia
Citizenship Malaysian
Political party Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu
Other political
affiliations
Barisan Nasional
Spouse Jamilah Anu
Children 4 (including Azizul)
Alma mater University of Adelaide (LLB)
Occupation Politician
Profession Lawyer

Pehin Sri Tan Sri Haji Adenan bin Haji Satem (Jawi: حاج عدنان بن حاج صتيم; 27 January 1944 – 11 January 2017), often called Tok Nan, was a Malaysian politician. He served as the fifth Chief Minister of Sarawak from March 2014 until he passed away in January 2017. During his time as Chief Minister, Adenan was also the President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). This party was part of the Barisan Nasional group. He was of Malay background.

Early Life and Education

Adenan was born in Kuching, Sarawak. This was during World War II, when Japan occupied the area. He went to St. Joseph's Primary School and then St. Joseph's Secondary School. Before becoming a lawyer, he worked as a journalist and a teacher. He later studied law at the University of Adelaide in Australia. After finishing his studies in 1970, he worked as a Magistrate from 1971 to 1972. He also served as an assistant secretary for the Ministry of Primary Industries from 1972 to 1974.

Political Journey

Adenan's political career started in 1976. He became a legal advisor and committee member for the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) party. In 1979, he won elections twice for the Muara Tuang area. He was a member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Muara Tuang from 1979. Later, he moved to the Tanjong Datu area for the 2006 Sarawak state election, which he also won.

He also became a Member of Parliament for Batang Sadong after winning the 2004 Malaysian general election. The then Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, made him the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. However, Adenan left this job in 2006 and returned to Sarawak. In 2010, he became a special advisor to the Chief Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud. Then, in 2011, he was appointed as a State Minister with Special Functions.

Adenan was involved in the 1987 Ming Court Affair. This was a disagreement between Abdul Taib Mahmud and the governor at the time, Abdul Rahman Ya'kub. Adenan supported Taib, who won this political challenge. Two years earlier, Taib had appointed Adenan as the PBB publicity chief. This was to reduce Abdul Rahman's influence in the party. In 1987, Adenan was appointed as the state minister for land development in Taib's cabinet.

Becoming Chief Minister

In March 2014, Adenan Satem took over from Abdul Taib Mahmud as the Chief Minister of Sarawak. He officially took his oath of office at Astana on February 28, 2014. Later that year, he received the "Datuk Patinggi" title. Before the 2016 Sarawak state election, he was praised for gaining support from Chinese voters. He won his seat of Tanjung Datu with a large majority. His party won 72 out of 82 available seats in the election.

Working with the Federal Government

As Chief Minister, Adenan sometimes had different ideas from the federal government. This was even though his party was part of the ruling group. He often spoke about making Sarawak more independent. He also asked for a larger share of money from petroleum (oil and gas) for the state. This sometimes caused concern for the federal government and the national oil company, Petronas.

Another issue he disagreed on was the official recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC). During his time as Chief Minister, he also announced that English would be an official language for Sarawak's government. This was in addition to Bahasa Malaysia.

Adenan also believed that 90% of all teachers in Sarawak should be from Sarawak. He felt that local people would better understand the needs of local schools. He also suggested that the state government should handle education matters. This way, rural schools could be better cared for. Sarawak also started to recognize the UEC certificate. The federal government did not recognize this certificate.

The then head of the federal government, Najib Razak, responded positively to Sarawak's requests. He also set up a committee to look into giving more power to Sabah and Sarawak.

Adenan also confirmed that Sarawak would not leave Malaysia. He stated that joining Malaysia was "the wisest decision made by Sarawak 53 years ago."

Death

On January 11, 2017, Adenan passed away from a heart attack. He was 72 years old. He died at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan. This was the first time a serving Sarawak Chief Minister had passed away in office. He was buried at the Samariang Muslim Cemetery in Kuching. Many leaders and people from Sarawak mourned his death.

Other Roles and Achievements

Adenan held several other important positions:

  • Chairman of Sarawak Foundation (1998-2017)
  • Chairman of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus Council (2004-2017)
  • Chairman of the Sarawak Malay Culture Foundation
  • Board of directors for Sarawak Higher Education Foundation (SHEF)
  • Board member of the Curtin University, Malaysia
  • Chairman, Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak (NREB)
  • Pro-Chancellor of the Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (2014-2017)

Honours and Awards

Adenan received many honours during his life:

Honours of Malaysia

  •  Malaysia :
    • Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia - PSM.svg Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2010)
  •  Malacca :
    • MY-MAL Exalted Order of Malacca.svg Grand Commander of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DGSM) – Datuk Seri (2016)
  •  Sarawak :
    • MY-SAR Medal of Public Administration - Pingat Pentadbiran Awam.svg Meritorious Service Medal (Silver) (PPB)
    • MY-SAR Order of the Star of Sarawak - 2 ribbon PNBS -JBS-PBS-ABS-BBS.svg Knight Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of Sarawak (PNBS) – Dato Sri (1990)
    • MY-SAR Order of the Star of the Hornbill (Bintang Kenyalang) - 2. Knight Commander (DA).svg Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DA) – Datuk Amar (2009)
    • MY-SAR Order of the Star of the Hornbill (Bintang Kenyalang) - 1. Knight Grand Commander (DP).svg Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DP) – Datuk Patinggi (2014)
    • MY-SAR Order of the Star of Sarawak - 1 ribbon SBS.svg Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of Sarawak (SBS) – Pehin Sri (Posthumous) (2017)
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