Abang Johari declines comment on plans until after mourning period

New Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg has such great respect for Tan Sri Adenan Satem that he has declined comment on his plans and policies until after the mourning period for the late chief minister.

He was in a reticent mood when mobbed by reporters today after he had taken his oath as the state's sixth chief minister at the Astana, official residence of the Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri.

"We are still mourning for the late Tan Sri Adenan. I will issue my statement and meet the media after the (seven-day) mourning period is over.

"But I would like to place on record here my gratitude to the Head of State (Yang Dipertua Negeri) Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and my Barisan Nasional colleagues for the confidence in me to lead the state," he said.

Abang Johari also declined to say when he would name his Cabinet.

"For the time being, and again as we have to respect the late Adenan, the status quo remains," he said.

Adenan, who served as the chief minister for almost three years, died on Wednesday due to complications of heart disease at the Heart Centre of the Sarawak General Hospital in Kota Samarahan near here.

The Sarawak government declared seven days of mourning up to next Tuesday. -- BERNAMA