By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 13: The late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem’s rise to Sarawak’s top post in 2014 meant filling a position held by Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud for 33 years, a challenge that Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah likened to stepping into a “big shoe”.
This reflection was shared by Karim as he paid tribute to the former chief minister, affectionately known as Tok Nan, during the official opening of the Tok Nan Gallery at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sarawak Campus in Bintulu on Tuesday (Aug 12).
Karim, who has served in politics for 25 years, said Tok Nan’s appointment as Sarawak’s fifth chief minister came at a time of immense expectation following the retirement of Taib, who had transformed the State during his three-decade tenure.
“Taib left behind a strong legacy, having grown Sarawak’s financial reserves from about RM600 million when he returned from federal service to around RM30 billion upon his retirement. He was a little stingy on spending.
“33 years is a long, long time. Whoever is going to inherit the position is not going to be easy. The shoe is too big,” he said in a pre-recorded interview shared with DayakDaily.
He admitted that there were initial doubts among many, including himself, over whether Tok Nan could adapt to the role and sustain Sarawak’s development momentum, particularly as the new chief minister was already in fragile health and frequently in and out of hospital.
“The political climate in 2014 was different, and his health was already a concern,” Karim recalled, adding that the leadership transition followed discussions within the party caucus and Supreme Council before Taib ultimately passed the baton to Tok Nan.
The Tok Nan Gallery pays homage to the life, vision, and values of Sarawak’s fifth Chief Minister, who served from March 2014 until his passing in January 2017.
Despite his short tenure, Tok Nan earned widesprad admiration for his people-first policies, candid leadership style, and unwavering defence of Sarawak’s rights within Malaysia.
The gallery serves not only as a historical record but also as a lasting reminder of the enduring impact Tok Nan had on Sarawak’s development and identity. — DayakDaily
