OBITUARY "The heartache when you scroll your Facebook timeline tonight is real. And it is all because of one very special man."

That was what appeared on my timeline as I scrolled down, reading tributes and messages about the late Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem.

When the announcement of his passing was made public yesterday afternoon, Sarawakians from all walks of life recorded their tributes and their Facebook timeline and profile photos turned into shades of 'mourning' grey.

Adenan was famous with his rendition of Cliff Richard's 'Young Ones' - often used as his 'theme song' whenever he arrived for an event. During the last Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak in Kuala Lumpur, he serenaded the crowd with the golden hit song and did an encore with a popular Iban song, 'Biar Bekikis Bulu Betis'.

The fifth chief minister of Sarawak, Adenan passed away due to heart complications in Kuching yesterday afternoon.

In less than two weeks, he would have celebrated his 73rd birthday. Adenan would have also clocked his third year as the chief minister, since he took the office in 2014.

He took over the post from his predecessor, Abdul Taib Mahmud, who helmed the state administration for 33 years since 1981. Taib is now the current state governor.

In just a short span of three years in service, Adenan made waves of changes in policies and politics in Sarawak.

To some fellow Sarawakians I spoke to as I penned this piece, he died fighting for Sarawak.

Many shared their memories in selfies and group photos taken with Adenan, reminiscing the times and how they looked up highly to the one they fondly refer to as Tok Nan. Outpourings of grief were felt from all, Sarawakians and fellow Malaysians.

Many Sarawakians were shocked and surprised by his sudden demise. A mild-mannered man, who was like a father figure and a grandfather to all...