He said God had given him a new lease of life to “do what I have to do”.

“Three years ago, I was very sick. I was at the IJN (National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur) and in Singapore. And there was a time I thought I was going.

“I called all my relatives, my children and grandchildren.

“They all came and you know when you call all your children and grandchildren, you know what it’s all about.

“I was ready to go. But God is great and I recovered. I am back to normal.”

In an interview with Bernama at his office here, Adenan said: “When God gave me a new lease of life, he must have been trying to drop a message to give me a hint of what I have to do.”

Adenan, who took over from Abdul Taib Mahmud two years ago, went on to say that he had been very lucky in life and that God had been very kind to him.

“I have a very good life, even a successful one. I owe it (to myself) to help those who are less fortunate than I am.”

He revealed his philosophy in life. In doing what he did as a leader, he would always ask himself if his late mother would have approved of it or not.

“That is my policy, I would ask myself (until today) if my mother would give her blessing,” he added.

– BERNAMA