PM leads tributes to Abdullah, ‘teacher of humanity in leadership’

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was a ‘person with a great soul who instilled a new narrative in Malaysia’s politics of power’.

PETALING JAYA: 

Condolences have poured in from the nation’s leaders following the death of Malaysia’s fifth prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi tonight.

In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Abdullah, who was 85, was no mere leader, but a “person with a great soul who instilled a new narrative in Malaysia’s politics of power”.

He recounted his last visit with the former prime minister, saying despite having been on opposite sides of the political aisle, Abdullah received him with great courtesy.

“Pak Lah was constantly a figure of calm. With Islam Hadhari, he was the bridge between progress, development and values,” he said, referring to the approach taken by Abdullah when he led the government.

“Under his leadership, we witnessed reform in the judiciary, transparency in administration, and institutional empowerment.”

Anwar praised Abdullah as a teacher of humanity in leadership, saying he led with a face that “was not angry, hands that did not grab at power, and a voice that was never raised despite relentless attacks”.

“When I was struggling during a dark episode in my life, Abdullah never added to the hurt with insulting words.

“Such was the personality of Pak Lah, who always chose peace even though retaliation was easy.

“To the family of Tun Jeanne (Abdullah), his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin and the family at large, I express my heartfelt condolences. The entire nation grieves for the loss of a down-to-earth statesman,” said Anwar.

Earlier this evening, Khairy confirmed Abdullah’s death in an Instagram post, saying he passed away at 7.10pm at the National Heart Institute (IJN).

Abdullah is survived by his wife Jeanne Abdullah and two children, Nori and Kamaluddin, from his first wife Endon Mahmood, who died of breast cancer in 2005.

He also had two stepchildren, Nadiah Kimie and Nadene Kimie, from Jeanne’s previous marriage.

MCA president Wee Ka Siong said the nation had lost a “true statesman” in Abdullah’s death.

“Tun Abdullah was a man of grace, humility and deep conviction. He led with a calm strength and always believed in unity, moderation and compassion.

“His leadership left a lasting imprint on our nation, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of Malaysians,” Wee said in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, Subang MP Wong Chen said Abdullah would “always have a special place in my heart for being the man who took the chance to try to reform Malaysia”.

“In many ways, he showed us that political change is possible. May he rest in peace and be with God,” he said in a Facebook post.

In a statement announcing Abdullah’s death this evening, IJN also paid tribute to the elder statesman, saying the “entire IJN family is united in grief as we mourn the loss of Tun Abdullah”.

“Caring for him in his final hours was both a privilege and an honour. His humility and grace touched many of our staff, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in eternal peace. Al-Fatehah,” said IJN CEO Dr Ezani Taib. - FMT