Thousands pay last respects to Adenan at Kuching Jamek Mosque

Thousands of people thronged the Sarawak Jamek Mosque in Petra Jaya here today to pay their last respects to Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem who died yesterday.

The casket bearing Adenan's remains were placed on a special platform in the middle of the prayer hall to enable VIPs and the public to pay their last respects.

Adenan died at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan here from complications of heart disease at 1.24pm yesterday, 16 days short of his 73rd birthday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor were among those who paid their last respects.

Federal and state ministers, menteris besar and chief ministers, heads of federal and state government departments, corporate leaders, representatives of associations and NGOs as well as members of the public also paid their last respects.

Among those present at the mosque were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai; Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili; Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot; Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan; Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Members of Adenan's family and relatives were also present.

The funeral prayers were performed at 11.40am, led by the Grand Imam of the mosque, Ustaz Haji Mustapha Kamal Ahmad Fauzi.

Adenan's remains were brought to the mosque at 10.55am from the residence of the Chief Minister in Damai Jaya, Santubong, about 30km from here. The casket was borne by officers and men from the military and police.

Many people gathered at certain stretches of the route from Santubong to Kuching to pay their last respects and bid farewell to a man whom they had come to know as a leader who championed their interests and rights at all times.

Cries of "selamat tinggal hero kami (goodbye our hero)" were heard as the people waved when the hearse passed by.

Adenan was laid to rest at the Samariang Muslim Cemetery here after the Zohor prayers at about 1pm.

Sarawak has declared seven days of mourning. Flags will be flown at half mast during the period.

Today is a public holiday in Sarawak to mourn the passing of Adenan who became Chief Minister in February 2014 and led Barisan Nasional to a landslide victory in the state election last year. -BERNAMA