Adenan was born in Kuching, Sarawak during its occupation by Japan in World War II. He received his early education at St. Joseph's Primary School, and later at St. Joseph's Secondary School. He once worked as a journalist and teacher before pursuing his studies in law at the University of Adelaide, Australia. Upon graduating in 1970, he was appointed as Magistrate from 1971 to 1972. He was appointed assistant secretary for the Ministry of Primary Industries from 1972 to 1974.
Political career
Adenan Satem's political career began in 1976 when he was appointed as the legal advisor and a committee member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu. Later in 1979, he contested in elections and won twice, the first in a by-election for the Muara Tuang Constituency in January, and the other in the State Election several months later in the same constituency. Adenan was the Member of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly for Muara Tuang from 1979 onwards until he moved to Tanjung Datu in 2006 for the state election, where he won. Apart from that, he also became the Member of Parliament for Batang Sadong constituency after winning the 2004 election, appointing him the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. He, however, gave up the post in 2006 and returned to Sarawak. In 2010, he was appointed Special Advisor to the Chief Minister, and later in 2011 as Minister with Special Functions. Adenan played a role in the 1987 Ming Court Affair, a crisis that involved a power tussle between the then chief ministerAbdul Taib Mahmud and the then governor Abdul Rahman Ya'kub. Abdul Rahman was the previous chief minister and Taib's uncle. The crisis helped trigger the 1987 state election after four ministers and three deputy ministers aligned to Abdul Rahman resigned from Taib's cabinet. Adenan sided with Taib Mahmud, who emerged as the victor in the crisis. Two years earlier, Adenan was appointed by Taib as PBB publicity chief as the former sought to purge Abdul Rahman's influence in the party. In 1987 soon after the seven resignations, Adenan was appointed as the state minister for land development in the Taib cabinet.
Chief Minister
In March 2014, Adenan Satem succeeded Abdul Taib Mahmud as Chief Minister of Sarawak. He officially took the oath of office in a ceremony held at Astana on 28 February 2014, Later that year, in conjunction with the Governor of Sarawak's 78th Birthday, he was awarded the "Datuk Patinggi" title. Prior to the 2016 Sarawak state election, he was praised for inspiring support among Chinese voters. He won his seat of Tanjung Datu with 93.4% of the popular vote. His party won 72 of the 82 available seats. As a chief minister, he clashed with federal government from time to time despite his party being part of the ruling federal coalition. He spoke openly about strengthening Sarawak's autonomy and called for higher state's share of petroleum royalty, much to the consternation of Putrajaya and the national oil companyPetronas. Among other issues he disagreed with the federal government included official recognition for Chinese education certificate.
Death
On 11 January 2017, Adenan died of heart attack at the Sarawak Heart Centre, Kota Samarahan, aged 72 years old. The untimely demise is the first occurrence to a serving Sarawak Chief Minister. He was laid to rest at Samariang Muslim Cemetery in Kuching. His death was mourned by Sarawakians throughout the week, and many leaders attended his funeral in Kuching.
