Mr Feelgood Adenan Satem the real McCoy?
Is this a case of a political leader going back to ideals instead of using his office to strengthen his hold on power and build a business empire that enriches his whole family?
Eddie Hoo, The Heat Malaysia
Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem and his predecessor, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, are total opposites. One draws international scrutiny for amassing wealth that triggered calls for criminal proceedings, while the other is basking in his Mr Nice Guy image domestically.
So contrasting are these two leaders of a hugely resource rich state that they could very well be the antithesis of each other. The former brother-in-laws appear to be poles apart in political approaches in a system that has been mired in suspicion of financial improprieties.
Swiss-based NGO, Bruno Manser Fund, has alleged in a report that Taib and his 20-member family clan are collectively worth US$21 billion (RM64 billion). It says Taib, on his own, is worth US$15 billion (RM45 billion).
When Adenan adopted a velvet glove approach after Taib’s iron-fisted rule, many of us were asking if this was just a show. Yet, Adenan plodded forward with his populist ways.
In dismantling the antiquated political culture of Taib, he appears to be providing us with optimism in his leadership. Is this a case of a political leader going back to ideals instead of using his office to strengthen his hold on power and build a business empire that enriches his whole family?
Perhaps out of need to show he is his own man, Adenan launches a war against corruption to rein in illegal logging. He stunned a gathering of Sarawak’s biggest timber tycoons by calling the industry corrupt and warned them not to mess with him.
Adenan stands steadfast on protecting religious freedom and promoting cultural diversity at a time when the biggest political party in the country is resorting to race pandering to shore up support from the grassroots.
His position on the use of the words “Allah” and “pendatang” reflects the sentiments of Sarawakians on these so-called issues, which befuddle them.
In standing up for Sarawakians, he pushes for greater autonomy and struck an accord with the federal government for the devolution of administrative powers to the state government.
