KUCHING (Feb 12): Sarawak's incoming fifth chief minister, Tan Sri Adenan Satem, has a colourful career.

He began his career as a journalist with the now-defunct Sarawak Tribune, and became a school teacher before taking up law at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

Upon completion of his law studies, Adenan became a majistrate in Kuching for three years, beginning 1970, before taking over the post of legal adviser of petroleum affairs, primary industries ministry, from 1972 to 1974.

His political career started in 1979, when he was picked to contest the Muara Tuang state seat in a by-election in 1979, defeating Razali Sabang (PAJAR) by a majority of 2,797 votes.

He retained the seat in Sarawak's third state election in Sept 1979, when he defeated PAJAR candidate, Bujang Ali Nor, by a majority of 3,422 votes.

In the fourth state election in December 1983, Adenan retained the Muara Tuang seat for the second term, beating Abang Ibrahim Abang Othman (Independant) by a majority of 3,696 votes, and won it again, in the fifth state election in April 1987.

In the sixth state election in September 1991, he again retained the seat with a majority of 8,272 votes, and won it unopposed in the seventh state election in September 1996.

At the eight state election in September 2001, Adenan retained Muara Tuang for the fifth term, beating Suhaili Hamid (Independant) by a majority of 9,708 votes.

Meanwhile, at the 11th General Election in March 2004, Adenan contested the Batang Sadong seat and won, defeating PAS candidate Adam Ahid by a majority of 9,731 votes.

At the ninth Sarawak state election in May 2006, Adenan moved out of Muara Tuang to contest in Tanjung Datu seat, and successfully defeated PKR candidate, Sobey Daud, with a majority of 4,136 votes.

At the 10th state election in April 2011, he retained the Tanjung Datu seat, this time beating Gilbert Asson ak Kulong (Independent) by a majority of 3,216 votes.

Adenan's ministry positions were Sarawak Assistant Minister of Land Development (July 11, 1985), Sarawak Minister of Land Development (March 12, 1987), Sarawak Minister of Social Development (Sept 10, 1992), Sarawak Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries (Jan 1, 1998), member of Sarawak State Cabinet (Sept 28, 2001), Federal Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (March 30, 2004), Special Advisor in the Sarawak Chief Minister's Office (April 2, 2010 - June 6, 2011), and Sarawak Minister of Special Functions (Sept 30, 2011 till now).

The incoming chief minister, who is Malay Melanau, is Tanjung Datu state assemblyman and was formerly the Batang Sadong member of parliament.

Adenan, from Kuching, is Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB) information chief.

Born on Jan 27, 1944, he is married to Puan Sri Jamilah Anu. The couple has a son and two daughters.