PETRA JAYA: Sarawakians from all walks of life have begun converging on the Jamek Mosque here to pay their last respects to the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
Many mourners, clad in black and dark coloured-attire, arrived at the state mosque as early as 8.30am for the state funeral of Adenan, fondly known by the people as "Tok Nan".
Among the crowd was Christine Chew, who is a member of the Chang Sang Tong Association in Batu Lintang.
Chew, 45, arrived at the mosque with a bouquet of white lilies, which she said symbolises “sacredness”.
"I was a strong follower of the late Chief Minister. He forged stronger unity among people from different races and religions here," she said.
According to Chew, her association held a meeting just yesterday to discuss what to present as a gift to Adenan for his upcoming 73rd birthday.
"But then, we later learned that he had passed away. This is sad news to us all," she said.
The Chief Minister’s remains are expected to arrive at the mosque from his official residence in Santubong at 10.30am.
The jenazah prayers, to be led by Sarawak acting grand imam Mustapha Kamal Ahmad Fauzi, will be held after Zohor prayers, after which Adenan will be laid to rest at the Samariang Muslim Cemetery here.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, together with Federal and state leaders, are expected to join thousands in bidding farewell to Adenan, who served as Sarawak's chief minister since Feb, 2014.
Other dignitaries expected to attend the state funeral include the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Adenan succumbed to heart complications four days after being admitted to the Sarawak General Hospital's Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan near here yesterday.
He leaves behind his wife, Puan Sri Jamilah Anu, and five children, including three from a previous marriage.