KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem died yesterday, 16 days before his 73rd birthday.

His niece Haslinda Hamzah has confirmed that Adenan died at 1.20pm at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan here.

Adenan died due to complications from heart disease.

In an interview with Bernama before the Sarawak state election last year, Adenan said he had almost died three years earlier because of a heart ailment.

Adenan succeeded Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud as chief minister on Feb 28, 2014.

He continued as Sarawak’s fifth chief minister after leading Barisan Nasional (BN) to a landslide victory in the 11th state polls on May 7, 2016.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg also confirmed the news of Adenan’s passing at a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, the Sarawak state secretariat in Petra Jaya.

The Sarawak government has declared today a public holiday in the state, Abang Johari said. The state will observe seven days of mourning with the state flag flown at half mast.

The funeral is scheduled to be held at the Samariang Muslim Cemetery here after the midday prayers today.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said in a Twitter post that Adenan’s death had deprived Malaysia of a competent leader.

He said Adenan’s contribution to Sarawak was huge and Malaysia had lost a leader of integrity.

Najib said he would go to Sarawak to pay his last respects to Adenan.

In Beijing, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described Adenan’s death as a great loss to the country.

He said Adenan had contributed much to Sarawak, and his leading BN to a landslide victory in the state election last year was commendable indeed.

Ahmad Zahid, who is on a working visit to China, called on the people of Sarawak to be patient and accept Adenan’s death and the leadership change that would take place.

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib paid their last respects to Adenan at the Sarawak Heart Centre.

Leaders in Sarawak expressed shock and grief over Adenan’s death, describing his passing as a huge loss to the state.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said Adenan was a respected leader who had brought many significant changes to the state.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim said Adenan’s passing, to her, was like losing her father.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said Malaysia had lost a good man and a leader who had foresight. — Bernama