Tun M to represent Malaysia at Thatcher's funeral

PUTRAJAYA- Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will represent Malaysia at the funeral of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

In a statement today, Wisma Putra said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak named Mahathir as the Malaysian government's representative to attend the funeral, which will be held on Wednesday (17 April) at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

Mahathir will be accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

Wisma Putra said Mahathir and his wife were invited by the British government to the funeral and will join a host of other international personalities including former world leaders in paying their last respects to Thatcher.

Thatcher was the United Kingdom's first woman Prime Minister, who held the post from 1979 to 1990.

"Tun Dr Mahathir, then Prime Minister of Malaysia, enjoyed a close friendship with the late Baroness Thatcher. Bilateral relations between Malaysia and the United Kingdom also strengthened during their time," said Wisma Putra.

Thatcher, 87, died last week following a stroke.

-thesundaily