Former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, affectionately known as Pak Lah, passed away on 14 April 2024 at the age of 85. His death was reported at 7.10 pm at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur. Abdullah’s family shares their grief, with son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin announcing his passing via social media.
State Funeral Details
Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Mdm Ho Ching will attend Abdullah’s state funeral in Kuala Lumpur on 15 April 2024. Abdullah will be accorded a grand farewell at the National Heroes Mausoleum, located in Masjid Negara. The ceremony is set to run from 11 am to 1 pm local time, culminating in a burial at the mausoleum.
- Funeral Details:
- Location: National Heroes Mausoleum, Masjid Negara
- Time: 11 am – 1 pm, 15 April 2024
- Burial: Following the ceremony at the mausoleum
A Leader Remembered
Abdullah became Malaysia’s fifth prime minister in 2003, taking over from Mahathir Mohamad, who had been in power for 22 years. During his leadership, he was known for promoting social and economic growth in Malaysia.
His passing elicited condolences from various leaders, including Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who acknowledged Abdullah for his significant contributions to Malaysia’s development. Wong highlighted that Abdullah fostered ASEAN’s stature on the global stage.
Tributes from Malaysian Leaders
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised Abdullah as a leader who embodied compassion, stating, “Pak Lah taught us the meaning of humanity in leadership.” Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan expressed heartfelt sadness over Abdullah’s death, emphasising their collaborative relationship and the progress achieved during Abdullah’s tenure.
As the nation mourns, all buildings within a 2 km radius of Masjid Negara will fly the Malaysian flag at half-mast until the conclusion of the funeral services.