KUCHING, Jan 2 2026: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian recalled he and the then Chief Minister Adenan Satem were in a hotel in Melbourne, Australia, just before the New Year’s eve countdown to 2016.
Caption: Former Chief Minister the late Adenan Satem and Dr Sim Sim Kui Hian visiting the Shrine of Remembrance in Victoria, Australia. Facebook/Dr Sim Kui Hian
He said he asked Tok Nan:”Tan Sri, in an hour’s time, it will be 2017. Do you have any wish for 2017?
He recalled Adenan’s reply: “ None.”
Dr Sim said he asked again:” Tan Sri, surely you have one wish?”
Tok Nan looked at him in his eyes:” Longevity.”
He said he and Tok Nan, as he was fondly known, were talking their wishes when a New Year’s wish was brought up.
“Eleven days later, Tok Nan passed away after we returned home to Kuching from Melbourne on Jan 1, 2017,” Dr Sim wrote on his Facebook today.
He said he accompanied Tok Nan who was on a year-end break in Australia at the end of the year 2016.
Dr Sim said he did not realise it was Adenan’s final overseas trip as 11 days later, he passed away 11 days later, on January 11, 2017.
“(I have) few vivid memories which I was very fortunate, privilege and honour to have the opportunity to learn from Adenan’s wisdom,” Dr Sim wrote.
“When we walked around the park of Shrine of Remembrance for Australia New Zealand War Memorial (ANZAC) It was built to honour the men and women of Victoria who served in World War I.
“Adenan commented: ” Sim, after this war, the Australians finally grew up into adulthood! No longer just a UK colony!” he recalled.
Dr Sim said he recently drove drove past the Shrine in St Kilda Road, and he started reminding himself of what he and Tok Nan wanted Sarawak nation building enter adulthood.
Dr Sim and his family were in Australia recently for a year-end break.
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