SARAWAK leaders have offered varying responses to a proposal to rename the Kuching International Airport the “Kuching Adenan Satem International Airport”.

Barisan Nasional backbencher Idris Buang recently proposed the name change in the state assembly, saying it would be in honour of the late chief minister.

“We must tell the world that we salute and honour great leaders who serve the country in a most exemplary manner – with love, compassion, dedication and good government with tenacity and humility,” the Muara Tuang assemblyman told the dewan. 

“If democracy, integrity and fairness can be personified, I dare say Tok Nan was that icon of honour,” he said, referring to the fifth Sarawak chief minister by his nickname. 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri agreed to the proposal.

“I fully support the idea of renaming the Kuching International Airport after the late Tok Nan. The airport is a gateway to the state through the city of Kuching. It also serves as a gathering place for people of all races and faiths.  

“It is a symbol of unity of the people associated with the late chief minister. Therefore, I support the idea of having the airport named after Tok Nan,” said the Batang Sadong MP.

Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang agreed that a landmark should be named after Adenan, but said the airport may not be the best choice. 

“Well, the name Kuching International Airport has been in existence for a long time. The very name – Kuching International Airport – immediately tells us that we have arrived (here),” said Lo, who is Batu Kitang assemblyman. 

“It’s like a river. The name of a bridge is usually named after a river for practical reasons. However, if the same river has many bridge crossings, it would be appropriate to name the bridge after the name of a person in recognition of his or her contributions to the community.”

Lo, who is a Sarawak United People’s Party leader, suggested that a road be named after the former chief minister instead. 

“Many roads have been named after a person and they carry with it a historical reference to an important era or event during the life of that person. This is important for historical records and a reminder to the generations after us of how our people, religion and our culture have evolved, and how the state attained the progress and stability that they see and benefit from in their lifetime.

“Knowing our late Adenan, a statesman of such humble nature and humility, I am sure he would not agree to changing the name of the Kuching International Airport,” Lo said. 

State Tourism, Arts, Youth and Sports Minister Abdul Karim Hamzah backed Lo with similar sentiments. 

“Personally, I believe we should not change the name of an important landmark that is already internationally known by a certain name to something new. To show our remembrance of Adenan, a new landmark can be named after him to honour his contributions, such as the new Batang Sadong bridge,” he said.

Before becoming chief minister in 2014, Adenan served a term as Batang Sadong MP from 2004 to 2008. 

The RM231 million Batang Sadong bridge spanning 1.48km was launched last December. It is the longest bridge in Sarawak.

Abdul Aziz Isa, special assistant to Sarawak DAP leader Chong Chieng Jen, sarcastically said that as the state assembly appeared to hold much power,  it could push to rename all major landmarks in Kuching after Adenan.

“Since they have the power to dismiss the Pujut rep Dr Ting (Tiong Choon), the Sarawak assembly can rename the state Negeri Adenan Satem with the stroke of a pen.”

“They should rename Bangunan Sultan Iskandar to Bangunan Adenan Satem. Change Padang Merdeka to Padang Adenan Satem, Jalan Tun Openg to Jalan Adenan Satem and Jambatan Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’akub to Jambatan Adenan Satem. 

“Petra Jaya can be renamed Adenan Jaya and the Brooke Dockyard can become Adenan Satem Dockyard. His old school, St Joseph’s can be renamed Adenan’s School. 

“No, I’m not being sarcastic. I’m just adding suggestions to YB Idris Buang’s proposal. He merely wants to change the airport’s name to Adenan Satem. Why not go all the way? Do everything except fight for autonomy and oil royalty, which was what Adenan Satem actually stood for when he was alive,” he said. 

Adenan, who was Tanjung Datu assemblyman, became the chief minister on February 28, 2014. He had served just under three years when he died of heart failure a week shy of his 73rd birthday on January 11. – June 4, 2017.