Adenan: Taking PBB and BN Sarawak to greater heights BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sabah - New 2 Borneo |
- Adenan: Taking PBB and BN Sarawak to greater heights
- The beginning of a new chapter
- Legacy of Leadership
- About Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem
- A legacy of leadership
- Taib’s legacy is the state’s continued growth
| Adenan: Taking PBB and BN Sarawak to greater heights Posted: 28 Feb 2014 01:41 AM PST by Alan Ting Leong Kuang. Posted on February 28, 2014, Friday KUALA LUMPUR: As Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem takes over as the new chief minister of Sarawak effective today, the Land of the Hornbills is set to see a new era in its political landscape. How is Adenan going to steer Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN)? Would he follow the course set by his predecessor Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud during his 33 year tenure as the chief minister? Adenan has lots to do in closing ranks within his own party and find a solution for BN's squabbling component members. Keeping PBB intact and BN united While many political analysts and politicians in the state believe the state administration will be very much remain the same, Adenan's style of leadership will be keenly watched. Would Adenan rule like his predecessor and keep PPB as a powerful political entity? As pointed out by Dr Suffian Mansor, a senior lecturer with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak's (Unimas) Faculty of Social Sciences, though Adenan inherited a strong PBB, which was formed following the merger of Parti Pesaka and Parti Bumiputera in 1972, keeping the party intact is important. "He has to come out with good strategies to harmonise the problems in the state. There is a need to cool down the party supporters of certain leaders," he told Bernama in an interview. There was some disenchantment within the party when Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, who is also Deputy President I of PBB, a Dayak was not picked as the successor to Taib. Unlike other political parties where leadership succession is based on the party hierarchy, PBB's leadership is decided by the parliamentary caucus consisting of parliament members, state assemblyman and senators from the party. However, based on the fact that from the 14 parliamentarians, only four are from Pesaka (two Dayak, one Bidayuh and another Lun Bawang) while from the 35 state assemblymen, only nine are from Pesaka putting Jabu in a disadvantage. "While Jabu was not picked up due to the party caucus system, Adenan still needs to cool down this issue. We don't see Jabu as a problem but there is still an urgent need to look into this from the Pesaka's perspective and the sentiment of the Dayak community," he added. SPDP and SUPP Not only that, by assuming the position of Chief Minister, Adenan inherited many of the outstanding issues within state BN components such as the problems within Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP). "While SPDP seems to be making some progress towards reconciliation between the two factions within the party, this cannot be said for SUPP. "Even if you can solve the long standing SUPP internal dispute, the next Herculean task will be wooing back the Chinese voters," explained Suffian. Adenan, after being named as the Chief Minister-designate, has openly expressed his hope of solving the prolonged SPDP and SUPP internal squabble. SPDP President Tan Sri William Mawan seems to heed Adenan's call by extending the olive branch to the five leaders – four state assemblymen and one former Member of Parliament – sacked from the party in late 2011. The five are Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, Rosey Yunus, Paulus Palu Gumbang and Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe. However, SUPP, the oldest political party in the state, seems to be going nowhere with the faction headed by party president Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui and former deputy secretary-general and current senior state minister in charge of Local Government and Community Development Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh still at loggerheads. Do not underestimate Adenan's ability On Adenan's leadership style, former PBB vice-president Datuk Salleh Japaruddin said; "As a trained lawyer, his political approach is guided by legal ethics, like how in court you fight your opponent and outside you are friends. This is his approach". Knowing Adenan since their early days in politics, Salleh said Adenan is also a good negotiator, observant listener, a convincing speaker and an experienced risk taker. "While he is known as Taib's loyalist from the early days, he has the brain and experience. The first three months after taking over the leadership will be very crucial and important to him," he added. – Bernama   |
| The beginning of a new chapter Posted: 27 Feb 2014 07:25 PM PST
It is Salahuddin's final official ceremony before Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud takes over as head of state. Adenan, who turned 70 last month, was attired in a dark-coloured Baju Melayu and recited his oath at 9.38 am to mark another historical moment for Sarawak. His appointment comes after his predecessor, Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, submitted his resignation on Feb 11 after having served as the chief minister of Malaysia's largest state for 33 years. Adenan made his political debut in 1979 when he contested the Muara Tuang state seat in a by-election and defeated Parti Rakyat Jati Sarawak (Pajar) candidate Razali Sabang by a majority of 2,797 votes. He retained the seat in the next six state elections before contesting the Batang Sadong seat in the 11th parliamentary elections, beating PAS candidate Adam Ahid with a 9,371-vote majority. Following his victory in the parliamentary elections, Adenan was appointed federal natural resources and environment minister in 2004. He returned to the Sarawak political scene to contest in the state election in 2006 and won the Tanjung Datu state seat. Adenan was made the special advisor to the chief minister in 2010 before being appointed as the state minister of special functions in 2011 after successfully retaining his Tanjung Datu seat in a state election in that year. Related news: Adenan's Profile |
| Posted: 27 Feb 2014 07:12 PM PST Posted on February 28, 2014, Friday
Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has steered Sarawak in terms of development growth, into what it is today through his astute planning and foresight. Taib's legacy is the state's continued growth Download: << Previous Entry - Next Entry >> We encourage commenting on our stories to give readers a chance to express their opinions; please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. While the comments here reflect the views of the readers, they are not necessarily that of Borneo Post Online. Borneo Post Online reserves the right not to publish or to remove comments that are offensive or volatile. Please read the Commenting Rules. |
| About Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem Posted: 27 Feb 2014 06:00 PM PST Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem (DA, PSM, PNBS, JBS, PPB, PPD) Education: LLB University of Adelaide Date of Birth: 27 January 1944 Place of Birth: Kuching Marital status: Married to Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Haji Anu, PSBS (2003), PPD (2003), PBS (1996)
Career: Prosecutor, Crown Law Office, Adelaide ( 1969-70) Magistrate (1971-72) Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Primary Industries Malaysia (1972-74) Private legal practitioner (1975-1985) Member of State Legislative Assembly (1978 till now) Assistant Minister for Land Development Sarawak (12 July 1985 – 12 March 1987) Minister for Land Development Sarawak (12 March 1987 – September 1992) Minister for Social Development Sarawak (Sept 1992 – Jan 1998) Minister for Agriculture & Food Industries Sarawak ( 2 January 1998- 29 March 2004) Minister for Natural Resources & Environmental Malaysia (31 March 2004 – 14 February 2006) Special Advisor in the Chief Minister's office (2 April 2010) Minister in the Chief Minister's Office and Minister for Special Functions (Sept 2010 till now)
Awards: Johan Bintang Sarawak (JBS) – 7 July 1986 on TYT's Birthday Pingat Peringatan Bakti (Silver)(PPB) – 31 August 1988 in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of Sarawak's Independence within Malaysia Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak (PNBS) – 16 September 1990 which carries the title 'Dato Sri' Pingat Peringatan Delima (Gold) (PPD) – 22 July 2003 in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Sarawak's Independence within Malaysia Anugerah Kedoktoran from University Technology of Swinburne – 4 July 2006 Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak which carries the title 'Datuk Amar Bintang Kenyalang' (DA) on 24 October 2009 in conjunction with the TYT's 88th birthday celebration Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) which carries the title 'Tan Sri' on 5 June 2010 in conjunction with DYMM Sri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong's birthday celebration Other experiences: Deputy Chairman Sarawak Land Development Board (SLBD) 1985-1987 Deputy Chairman Land Custody & Development Authority (LCDA) 1985-1987 Deputy Chairman Sarawak Land Consolidation & Rerhabilitation Authority (SALCRA) 1985-1987 Chairman Sarawak Land Development Board (SLDB) 1987-1992 Chairman Land Custody & Development Authority (LCDA) 1987-1992 Chairman Sarawak Land Consolidation & Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) 1987-1992 Chairman Sarawak Stadium Board 1992-1998 Chairman Sarawak Sports Council 1992-1998 Board of Directors for Sarawak Higher Education Foundation (SHEF) 1992-present Board of Directors for Malaysia Australia Foundation (MAF) Board of Directors for Kumpulan Wang Kawasan Konsesi Hutan (pemulihan & Pembangunan) Board of Trustee for Sarawak Heart Foundation (SHF) 1997-2004 Chairman Sarawak Foundation (1998-present) Chairman Sarawak Scouts 2004-2006 Chairman of Board of Trustee for Sarawak Malay Culture Foundation (AKYBMS) 1995-present Chairman Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus Council (12 October 2004-present) Protem of Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus Miri (1999-2000) Council Member of Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus Miri (2000-2012) Chairman of Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) 1992-2004 and April 2012-present Chairman of Natural Resources & Environment Board (NREB) 16 April 2012-present Chairman of Lembaga Pengurusan Mineral Negeri (Starting September 2010) |
| Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:12 PM PST
For the next 50 years, with 13 years as Federal Minister and 33 years as Chief Minister, he lived up to his own unique legacy – by being a leader with responsibility, wisdom and vision doing something significant that charted the path of the nation, especially Sarawak, to development. Abdul Taib Mahmud was born into an aristocratic family on May 21, 1936 in Miri. He won a Colombo Plan Scholarship to study law in the University of Adelaide, Australia. Upon graduation, he declined the offer to be on the bench as a judge but chose to return to Sarawak to serve as a Public Prosecutor. He brought back with him a barrister's degree and a young beautiful Australian wife of Turkish descent. Sarawak then was an economic backwater. Its longest road was a stretch of dirt road from Kuching outwards, schools were ramshackle and the children went to school barefoot, with 5,000 village and longhouses scattered all over the state with virtually no infrastructure. The task of development was almost impossible, not even the British could do so with their over 100 years of colonial rule.
It was a time when political instability reigned supreme with members of political parties and state assemblymen leaving one group to join the other. The state was not only subjected to political vicissitudes with no attempt to elevate its economic stagnation but also had a tense relationship with the federal government. Against a backdrop of political uncertainty, there was no doubt in the mind of the first (then retired) Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj that Taib, with his impressive track record, would be best man to be the Chief Minister of Sarawak. The Tunku counted Taib as one of the most capable members of his Cabinet. For Taib, the affable and charismatic Tunku had been a mentor and father figure. Taib's years as a federal minister and massive victory of Barisan Nasional (BN) in Sarawak in the parliamentary and state elections allowed Taib to garner support and harness all the strength to develop Sarawak through federal funding. Taib was innovative and resourceful. He introduced a new policy that is the envy of many – the Politics of Development. Political infighting whether inter or intra were to be subordinated to economic development because the goal was no longer political fighting but development and economic prosperity for the state. Through the Politics of Development, the incidence of poverty from a soaring 70 per cent was brought down until it went as low as a single digit. Currently the rate of poverty in Sarawak is 2.5 per cent. Taib is a visionary leader, not only that, he is a man of action with concepts and ideas. He is methodical and meticulous. Education is the best leveller in an uneven playing field. Where you start is not important. What is important is how to take opportunities be they educational or economic to make it an even playing field. This doctrine of levelling the uneven playing field through education, knowledge, entrepreneurial skill was done under the policy of the New Reality, an elevation of the Politics of Development. Taib brought in Australian universities to Sarawak. Today, in Sarawak there are six universities. His former constituency in Samarahan was converted into an education hub. Under Taib, the budget for 2013 was RM4.9 billion without taking into consideration federal funding. Sarawak has no external debt. The financial ratings by Moody's Investors Service and fellow international company Standard & Poor's gave a consistent rating of 3A, which is comparable with the financial ratings of Saudi Arabia and Petronas. As a result of Taib's policy of development, Sarawak's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth exceeded the national average in 1995. To balance development between urban and rural areas, he also endorsed town planning, natural resources planning, large-scale plantations, and Native Customary Rights (NCR) land development. The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), which was introduced in 2008, aims to diversify the future economy of Sarawak. Since 1981, the state's GDP has grown from RM6.5 billion to RM19.7 billion in 1995 and increased further to an estimated RM29.9 billion in 1999. In the next five years, the state had an average real GDP growth of six per cent, building a progressive society of high quality human capital and good quality of life. The biggest chunk of Sarawak's GDP is oriented towards export, which contributed to nearly an RM30 billion reserve. Taib's strategy for the future development of Sarawak is Vision 2030 through the development of SCORE. SCORE's plan is to bring "the economy into the global supply chain to be part of the whole economic growth." The plan is to develop hydroelectric power projects. This will give Sarawak a competitive edge over other countries by providing a cheaper source of energy. In a ministerial capacity, Taib has the unique distinction of serving with all six prime ministers – the Tunku, Tun Abdul Razak, Tun Hussien Onn, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. He has met in person the last colonial governor, Sir Alexander Waddel, and also served under the first Sarawakian governor,Tun Abang Haji Openg, to the present Head of State, Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin. On February 28, 2014 (today), Taib retires after helming the state government for 33 years. During that period, he has distinguished himself with many firsts — and ranked among his most highly acclaimed achievements must be blazing the trail of development and progress that is unprecedented in the history of Sarawak. Taib considers his proudest achievement to be in terms of economic development, social integration and industrialisation in Sarawak. But Sarawakians will also grateful to him for another very significant contribution – the constant nurturing, fostering and preserving of racial and religious tolerance and political stability that have enabled the various ethnic and racial communities to live side by side — in unity and harmony — all these years. He changed the skyline, economic and political landscapes of the Land of the Hornbills but has also left a lasting legacy, reflecting our unique identity and an unwavering resovle to preserve our racial and religious harmony. Indeed, Taib leaves behind a Sarawak with a place in the sun for everyone — including the opposition. He is currently married to Puan Sri Raghad Kurdi Taib, an Arab from Syria.
Under his leadership, Sarawak BN scored spectacular victories during parliamentary and state elections: Parliamentary Elections: 1990 – 17 seats out of 27 1995 – 26 seats out of 27 1999 – all 28 seats contested. 2004 – 27 seats out of 28 2008 – 30 seats out of 31 2013 – 25 seats out of 31 State Elections: 1991 – 49 seats out of 56 1996 – 57 out of 62 2001 – 60 out of 62 2006 – 62 out of 71 2011 – 55 out of 71 These show that Sarawak under Taib's leadership has contributed tremendously to the victory of BN in the nation in most of the elections. For Taib's outstanding and sterling service and contributions to the nation and state he received state, national and also international awards, as follows: (1) Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu (PGDK) which carries the title Datuk by Sabah State Government in 1972; (2) Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mula Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak (DA) which carries the title Datuk Amar in 1974; (3) Thai Royal Decoration of Knight Grand Cross Award, First Class (KtWE) from the Thai Government in 1979; (4) Korean Order of Unification (KOU) Award from Korea in 1979; (5) Datuk Patinggi Bintang Kenyalang (DP) which carries the title Datuk Patinggi in 1981; (6) Darjah Kartika Eka Paksi Naraya (KEPN) by the Republic of Indonesia in 1986; (7) Darjah Gemilang Seri Melaka (DGSM) which carries the title Dato Seri by the state government of Melaka in 1988; (8) Darjah Panglima Setia Mahkota (PSM) which carries the title Tan Sri by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Almutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar (DK) Yang di-Pertuan Agong Malaysia in 1989; (9) Darjah Mahkota Brunei Yang Amat Mulia (SPMB), First Class which carries the title Datuk Seri Paduka by Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam in March 1989; (10) Darjah Seri Setia Diraja Kedah (SSDK) which carries the title Datuk Seri by DYMM Sultan Kedah in 1991; (11) Darjah Kebesaran Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang Yang Amat Dimulia Peringkat Pertama Sri Sultan Ahmad Shah Pahang (SSAP) which carries the title Dato Sri in 1992; (12) Darjah Seri Sultan Salahuddin Aziz (SSSA) which carries the title Dato by DYMM Sultan Selangor in 1994; (13) Darjah Seri Paduka Mahkota Terengganu (SPMT) Kelas Pertama, in 1996; (14) Seri Panglima Darjah Kinabalu (SPDK) Kelas Pertama which carries the title "Datuk Seri Panglima" by the Sabah state government in 1999; (15) Pingat Cemerlang Delima (Emas) (PCD) in conjunction with the State's 40th anniversary of independence in Malaysia in 2003; (16) Darjah Satria Bintang Sarawak (SBS) which carries the title Pehin Sri by TYT Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak in 2003; (17) Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri, which carries the title Datuk Seri by TYT Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pulau Pinang in 2005; (18) Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama (DKI) by DYMM Baginda Sultan Johor DatulTakzim; (19) Darjah Kerabat Sri Indera Mahkota Pahang Yang Amat Dihormati (DK Pahang) by Sultan Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah in 2007; and (20) Darjah Seri Utama Mahkota Wilayah (SUMW) by DYMM Yang di-Pertuan Agong Malaysia which carries the title "Datuk Seri" in 2008 in conjunction with Federal Territory Day in 2008. Apart from the above, he also received various awards and appointments as follows: (1) Semangat Padi (Emas), the Scout's highest award by TYT Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Datuk Patinggi Ahmad Zaidi Adruce Muhammed Noor in 1990; (2) Pro-Chancellor, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Aug 8, 1990; (3) The Honorary Degree of the University of Adelaide by University of Adelaide, Australia in 1994; (4) Pro-Chancellor, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in July 1995; (5) Ijazah Kehormat Doktor Sains (Hon DSc) by Universiti Putra Malaysia in 1997; (6) Ahli Kehormat Mayo Alumni Association by Mayo Clinic Alumni Association, Rochester, USA in 1998; (7) Fellow Kehormat Akademi Sains Islam by Islamic Academy of Sciences, Amman, Jordan in 1998; (8) Ijazah Kehormat Doctor of Technology by Curtin University of Technology, Australia in 2000; (9) Honorary Doctorate of Leadership by Lim Kok Wing University of Creative Technology, Kuala Lumpur in April 2010; (10) The Brand Laureate Brand Icons Leadership Awards 2012 by The Asia Pacific Brands Foundation, Kuala Lumpur in 2012; and (11) Honorary Doctorate in Development Studies by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in October 2012. Related News • Taib's legacy is the state's continued growth |
| Taib’s legacy is the state’s continued growth Posted: 27 Feb 2014 04:01 PM PST
His tenure at the helm saw a period of unparalled growth that transformed the state from one of the poorest in the nation into one on the threshold of a high income society. When Taib took over as Chief Minister from his uncle Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub in 1981, 70 per cent of the people were living below the poverty line but today, 33 years later, the poverty rate in the state is just 2.5 per cent. Sarawak is on the cusp of achieving its goal as an industrialised and high-income society. The phenomenal growth of the state's economy was the result of Taib's vision and ability to maintain political stability despite challenges of the state's multi-ethnicity. Taib's contribution to the state's growth is best summed up by his designated successor Tan Sri Adenan Satem who recently described him a 'one in a million' leader. Adenan said there is only one Taib Mahmud and there will never be another like him, quoting a line from a popular song … out of the million stars in the universe, you are the one that shines. However, the true greatness of a leader is not only measured by what he has achieved during his term in office but more by the opportunities for further development he leaves for his successor. This is one aspect of Taib's leadership often overlooked as accolades and tributes pour in for his Chief Ministership par excellence. A look at the direction he has steered Sarawak into in terms of development growth today through his astute planning and foresight leaves no doubt that his impeccable track record is not quantified solely by what he has achieved but equally so, by the development initiatives he has put in place to ensure continuity of progress for the state after his tenure.
While Sarawak will miss Taib's leadership, there is no danger of the state's progress coming to an abrupt stop because he has made sure plans he laid out to take the state to even greater heights will be carried out by the leaders he has groomed over the years. Taib's retirement will not mark the end of an era of growth. Rather, it will herald — and ensure — the continuation of the development tempo he has initiated. During his stewardship, Sarawak has attained unprecedented socio-economic development and what will be just as significant is the potential for growth he has created for the state when he hands the leadership baton to Adenan. Taib has made sure the best is yet to come for Sarawak after he retires – that is the true measure of his in comparable contributions to the people. Related News |
KUCHING: Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem took his oath as Sarawak's fifth chief minister at 9.35am before outgoing Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin at Astana Negeri and signing his appointment letter at 9.40am.
The true greatness of a leader is not only measured by what he has achieved during his term in office but more by the opportunities for further development he leaves for his successor.
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