Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over as prime minister from Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 2003. He subsequently became known as Malaysia’s ‘father of human capital development’.
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Malaysia’s fifth prime minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, fondly known as “Pak Lah,” has died at the age of 85. The former leader, who had been battling dementia in recent years, passed away at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur at 7:10 p.m. on April 14.
The news was confirmed by his son-in-law and former health minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, in an Instagram story.
According to IJN, Abdullah was admitted on the morning of April 13 after experiencing breathing difficulties and was placed under intensive care in the coronary care unit. His health had been fragile in recent years; in April 2024, he was hospitalized at IJN for a collapsed lung but later recovered.
A Legacy of Leadership
Abdullah Badawi took over as Malaysia’s prime minister in 2003, succeeding Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. His leadership was quickly endorsed by the public, with Barisan Nasional (BN) securing a landslide victory in the 2004 general election, winning 90% of parliamentary seats.
However, his tenure faced challenges in 2008 when BN lost its two-thirds supermajority in Parliament for the first time and conceded five state governments to the opposition. Amid growing criticism, including from his predecessor, Dr. Mahathir, Abdullah stepped down in April 2009, paving the way for his deputy, Najib Razak, to assume office.
A Respected Statesman
Known for his mild-mannered and humble demeanour, Abdullah was widely regarded as a leader who prioritized integrity and moderation. His passing marks the end of an era for Malaysian politics, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication to the nation.
Condolences have poured in from across the political spectrum, with leaders and citizens alike remembering his contributions to Malaysia’s development.
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