New Sarawak chief minister sworn in following death of predecessor

KUCHING — As widely-expected, Mr Abang Johari Openg was sworn in yesterday as the sixth chief minister of Sarawak, succeeding Adenan Satem who died of heart failure on Wednesday.

Senior politicians from ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition took to social media to congratulate Mr Abang —who was one of Adenan’s deputies — moments after he was sworn in.

“I am confident that Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Abang Haji Openg will be able to continue the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s legacy to ensure that Sarawak keeps moving forward and to remain prosperous. Congratulations on your appointment as the Chief Minister of Sarawak,” wrote Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on both Facebook and Twitter yesterday.

Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said that Mr Abang was more than qualified for the post with his experience and leadership qualities, to lead the multicultural, united and moderate state of Sarawak.

“I look forward to working closely together with Datuk Abang Johari as a fellow leader within the Barisan Nasonal coalition. Once again, my congratulations, support and well wishes go to Datuk Abang Johari and the Rakyat of Sarawak,” said Mr Liow, who is also the president of Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA). MCA is one of the component parties in BN.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that he hoped the new chief minister would continue his predecessors’ ambitions for the state, which is regarded as a stronghold for BN.

“Congratulations Abang Johari for his appointment as the sixth Chief Minister of Sarawak! I hope the legacy of Tok Nan in bringing peace and prosperity to the people of the land of the hornbills continues!” he tweeted. (Adenan was fondly referred to as “Tok Nan” by the public.)

Mr Abang, 67, said he will announce his Cabinet after the mourning period of his predecessor ends on Tuesday, as a sign of respect. He said the current line-up from Adenan’s Cabinet will remain until then.

“I will issue a statement at a press conference to announce the line-up,” he told reporters after his swearing-in ceremony in front of Sarawak Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud at the state palace yesterday.

Meanwhile, Dr James Masing, the president of Parti Rakyat Sarawak —also a BN component party — said Mr Abang is “the wisest choice you can get, and as a long-serving state assemblyman, he is the most suitable to be the chief minister”.

He said the new chief minister understands the “push and pull” of the various ethnic groups in Sarawak as well as the religious diversity that the state has.

“I can tell you that my party will give our full and undivided support, so that what(ever) he does he will do it well,” added Dr Masing, who was one of the three deputy chief ministers in Adenan’s Cabinet.

Adenan, 72, died of heart failure while undergoing treatment. He would have turned 73 on Jan 27. He became Sarawak’s fifth chief minister in February 2014, replacing long-serving Abdul Taib. MALAY MAIL ONLINE