Many Twitter users spoke highly of the PBB president.
Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) president and local government minister Sim Kui Hian said: “We have lost a great son of Sarawak who devoted his whole life to the rakyat.”
Political leaders from the Barisan Nasional poured out their grief on Twitter with Prime Minister Najib Razak revealing that he would be heading to Sarawak.
“Malaysia lost a capable leader,” he tweeted.
Jasa Allahyarham kpd Srwk amat besar, Msia kehilangan seorang pemimpin berwibawa. Takziah kpd keluarga, moga roh dicucuri rahmat. Al-Fatihah
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) January 11, 2017
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also expressed his condolences on Twitter, especially to Adenan’s wife.
“Al Fatihah Salam Takziah to Puan Sri Jamilah over Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s passing. May he be placed among the pious. Amin.”
MCA president Liow Tiong Lai echoed similar sentiments saying: “Malaysia lost a great leader today.”
Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan tweeted: “Greatly shocked. Great loss to all #Malaysians. My sincere condolences to the family and the people of Sarawak.”
Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin expressed condolences to Adenan’s wife Jamilah, family and Sarawakians.
Sabah lawmaker Rahman Dahlan said Adenan’s struggles for a better Sarawak would be continued.
“Our sincere condolences to the family members of CM Adenan & the people of Sarawak. His struggles for a better Sarawak will be carried on.”
Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman spoke fondly of Adenan, who he said was a good leader with foresight.
“I have lost not only a comrade but also a good friend.
“On behalf of the Sabah government and the people of Sabah, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the family and the people of Sarawak on their loss,” he said in a statement.
Yayasan 1Malaysia chairman Chandra Muzaffar said Adenan was a champion of Malaysian unity and an opponent of bigotry and chauvinism whose work was left unfinished.
“Adenan realised that to forge solidarity and cohesiveness among all Malaysians, one had to adopt and implement policies that were just and fair to everyone.
“For unity to become a reality, Adenan emphasised equitable development that would bring hitherto neglected segments of society into the mainstream.
“Development, however, cannot be divorced from integrity, and Adenan took concrete measures to ensure corruption and the abuse of power were curbed and controlled,” he said in a statement today.
However, Chandra said, Adenan’s work to enhance integrity, like his attempt to promote more equitable development and to strengthen Sarawak autonomy within the framework of a united, harmonious Malaysia, was part of an ongoing agenda.
“He did not accomplish his mission. Much more remains to be done. One hopes that his successor will continue to pursue the goals set by Adenan.”
The public, too, have been taking to Twitter to express their condolences over Adenan’s passing.
One user with the Twitter handle Ahmad Tarmidzi described Adenan as a true Sarawakian fighter. “He fought for us, Sarawakians.”
Another user, Miz_PhinzSJ, said it was a sad day for Sarawak because the state had “lost a good leader”.
Twitter user syazwan said Adenan was his own man. “I actually like Adenan Satem. He is more his own man than I thought he would be as CM. A great loss.”