ANALYSIS The state's New Year's Eve celebration was a glitzy affair with Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem's face on every single poster visible.

A fireworks show ended the night accompanied by a hit song from the 80s – ‘The Final Countdown’ by the Swedish rock band, Europe.

It was raining cats and dogs before his arrival at the Tun Sallahuddin bridge for the New Year's countdown that also marked the end of road toll collection in the state.

Yet many Kuchingites flocked to the venue intent on catching a glimpse of Adenan, rather than the top billing for the event, popular singer Jamal Abdillah.

As expected, right after his address and prior to the countdown, he serenaded the thousand-strong crowd with his favourite song - Elvis Presley's ‘Can't Help Falling In Love’.

The local crowd went into a frenzy as the 71-year-old chief minister sang. And yes, he even ended the song on the right notes, with a falsetto.

Since helming the 'throne' as the state's chief executive two years ago, after taking over from his predecessor Abdul Taib Mahmud who held the post for the last 33 years, Adenan has been pressing all the right buttons with impeccable timing, and have garnered substantial support from Sarawakians.

In a survey conducted by Merdeka Center last year, Adenan scored a whopping 74 percent approval rating on his performance as the state's fifth chief minister...