Ahmad Zahid pays tribute to Adenan

BEIJING: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described the death of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem as a great loss to the country.
He said Adenan had contributed much to Sarawak, and his leading Barisan Nasional to a landslide victory in the state election last year was commendable indeed.
Ahmad Zahid, who is on a working visit to China, conveyed his condolences to Adenan's wife Puan Sri Jamilah Anu and their children and other family members.
He called on the people of Sarawak to be patient and accept Adenan's death and the leadership change that would take place.
"He (Adenan) was a very soft-spoken man but very firm in his actions, what more in making decisions. Yet, he was flexible in adapting to changes and modifying approaches for the benefit of not only Sarawak but Malaysia as a whole," he said.
"I and my colleagues (in Barisan Nasional) are determined to fulfil all our pledges and commitments to Sarawak," he said at a press conference at the hotel where he is staying.
Ahmad Zahid said he had known Adenan since the time he was a federal minister (in 2004).
The Deputy Prime Minister is in Beijing on a six-day working visit to China up to Jan 15. — Bernama