Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri
Datuk Amar Haji Adenan bin Satem (27 January 1944 – 11 January 2017) or as the
people called him, Tok Nan, was the fifth Chief Minister of Sarawak. He
officially took the oath of office in a ceremony held at Astana on 28 February
2014. He was born in Kuching, Sarawak during its occupation by Japan in World
War II. He received his early education at St. Joseph's Primary School, and
later at St. Joseph's Secondary School. He once worked as a journalist and
teacher before pursuing his studies in law at the University of Adelaide,
Australia. I like what The Coverage
writes about him, “Talk about Malaysia’s Barisan National (BN) political party
and most will reply with an endless barrage of hate and disapproval. In Sarawak
however, one BN man is apparently doing all the right things to capture the
heart of Sarawakians.” Yes, I wish Tok Nan doesn’t represent BN at all, but
like it or not, we all love him as a person and leader of Sarawak!
When I think of Tok Nan, I think of King Cyrus the
Great (600 or 576 – 530 BC). This
pagan king is important in Jewish history because it was under his rule that
Jews were first allowed to return to Israel after 70 years of captivity. Before
Cyrus issued a decree to free the Jews, prophet Isaiah already prophesied about
him 150 years before Cyrus lived (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1, 4; see also 41:2-25;
42:6). King Cyrus also very active in assisted the Jews in rebuilding the
temple in Jerusalem under Ezra and Zerubbabel. Cyrus restored the temple
treasures to Jerusalem and allowed building expenses to be paid from the royal
treasury (Ezra 1:4–11; 6:4–5). Besides his dealings with the Jews, Cyrus is
known for his advancement of human rights, his brilliant military strategy, and
his bridging of Eastern and Western cultures. He was a king of tremendous
influence and God used him mightily.
Tok Nan was a Malay and a
devoted Muslim as far as I know. These facts doesn’t stop us from respecting
and loving him as a person and leader. Sarawakians love for him doesn’t affect
by his race or religion, we love him because he genuinely love the people. As
YB Baru Bian writes in his Facebook account: “We have lost a CM (chief minister) who truly cared about Sarawak and
Sarawakians of all races, ethnicity and religions. He chose to carry on with
his role as CM even though his health was declining. He did his best for
Sarawak and I had the greatest respect for him.” That’s why when I think of
Tok Nan I think of King Cyrus.
Let me explain. The Jews honoured
Cyrus as a dignified and righteous king even though he was a pagan king; people
from different races and religious honoured Tok Nan as caring and chief
minister berjiwa rakyat even though
he was a devoted Muslim. In history, King Cyrus was thought of as a ‘messiah’
and liberator; Tok Nan was our answered prayer when we asked for leader who
fear God and ruled people justly. King Cyrus unites his conquered nations; Tok
Nan represents the true spirit of 1Malaysia. God’s use of Cyrus as a “shepherd” (Isaiah 44:28) for His people illustrates the
truth of Proverbs 21:1, “The king's heart is
in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases”;
no doubt God raised up godly leaders such as Tok Nan in the midst of our
corrupt government. I personally believe Tok Nan’s heart is in the hand of the
Lord too.
When I think of Tok Nan I think
of King Cyrus. But then again, they are totally different. Tok Nan doesn’t
rule on his ‘throne’ like Cyrus. Tok Nan loves to be with the people. He walks
among us. He eat moderately and he speaks our language. He was not power-hungry
leader like many leaders today (read 10 Reasons Why Adenan Satem Is Winning
The Hearts Of Sarawakians). I don’t know much about
politics or about his personal life, but what I do know is that Tok Nan have my
respect. I will remember him as champion of Sarawak rights and model for righteous
leader. Thank you Tok Nan for everything and may God have mercy on Sarawak.
Lord, raise up leaders like him! Amen.
THINK BIG.
START SMALL. GO DEEP.
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