Najib said that as prime minister, he had lost a people-oriented leader and a decisive chief minister who was committed to fulfilling his responsibilities.

“His cries of ‘ooh haa’, which means ‘I love Sarawak’, still resonate in my ears.

“His passing is a great loss to his party and he has left a big void to be filled,” Najib said in his latest posting on his official blog.

Adenan, 72, died of heart complications at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan, Kuching at 1.24pm on Wednesday.

Najib said Adenan, who is better known as Tok Nan was a firm leader in the execution of his responsibilities as chief minister, and constantly highlighted issues plaguing Sarawak which needed to be discussed and resolved together.

“I am proud that the relationship between the federal government and the state government reached a high level under the leadership of Tok Nan.

“To me, Tok Nan was a 1Malaysia figure, a leader who embraced the spirit of 1Malaysia,” he said.

Describing Adenan as a leader capable of uniting people of all races under one roof and never ignoring the interests of any race, Najib said this was why the communities in Sarawak, be they Dayaks, Chinese, Malays or Kelabits, had high regard, respect and affection for their “Apai Besar”(Big Leader).

Recalling memories in 2015, Najib said Adenan’s ability to speak Chinese gave him the edge to reach out to the Chinese community and deliver policies that benefited the people of Sarawak in terms of education and cost of living.

The experience of campaigning during the 2015 Sarawak state election, according to Najib was still fresh in his memory whereby the “Adenan Factor” had given a landslide win to Barisan Nasional (BN).

“He was the political tsunami, a blue wave or what some would say, the Adenan factor,” he said.

Najib said Adenan was also someone who would not easily concede defeat when faced with challenges, including when the party was shocked with the news of the helicopter mishap that killed friends including then deputy plantation industries and commodity minister, Noriah Kasnon, during the state election period.

“At that moment, there were many discussions between Adenan and myself on ways to boost the spirit of the party machinery and election strategies which could be implemented to ensure a big win for BN,” he said.

Najib said Adenan had always placed the interests of the people over and above his own and many transformations which had been implemented by him as chief minister had made the people love and believe in the leadership of the BN government even more.

“As Najib Razak, I have lost a very dear friend who was very close to me and my wife. I have seen his career path during difficult and good times and I will always remember him as a loyal friend, a friend who is very close to my heart,” he said.

As Sarawak’s Apai Besar, Adenan’s deeds were huge and would be enshrined in history and remembered by all, especially the people of Sarawak.

“Indeed, we all have lost a credible leader who opted to serve the party and people to his last breath.

“Tok Nan’s legacy and vision, in ensuring Sarawak remained peaceful, developing and progressive in line with national development, will be continued,” he added.