Cover Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi speaking at the World Islamic Economic Forum at ExCel on October 31, 2013 in London, England (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi speaking at the World Islamic Economic Forum at ExCel on October 31, 2013 in London, England (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
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Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, known fondly as ‘Pak Lah’, served as the fifth PM of Malaysia after his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s term
On April 14, former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi passed away at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur. The 85-year-old’s health had been on the decline in recent years due to dementia, to the point of him unable to recognise family members. Badawi is survived by his wife, Jeanne Abdullah, and two children, Nori and Kamaluddin, along with two stepchildren, Nadiah Kimie and Nadene Kimie, from Jeanne’s previous marriage.
Badawi’s son-in-law and former Minister of Health in Malaysia, Khairy Jamaluddin, posted an Instagram story on his official account today announcing his father-in-law’s passing at 7.10pm.
After retiring as prime minister, Badawi was active in a number of NGOs, carrying forward the legacy and impact of the human capital development policies he spearheaded during his tenure. He was the founding patron of the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), a Malaysian initiative aimed at increasing economic cooperation among Muslim countries. He was also patron of the Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies, which he established in 2009.
Read more: Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow: The Life of the Greatest Malaysian Banker of All Time
Above Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the wedding of Ariff Tuah Tun Ahmad Sarji and Nurul Ain Mat Aron in 2015 (Photo: Tatler Malaysia)
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the wedding of Ariff Tuah Tun Ahmad Sarji and Nurul Ain Mat Aron in 2015 (Photo: Tatler Malaysia)
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The Penang-born leader was known as the father of Malaysia’s human capital development, promoting policies such as National Integrity Plan and The Islam Hadhari campaign in 2004, famously saying once: “We do not want a situation in Malaysia where we have first-class facilities or infrastructure, but a third-class mentality.”
Known for his down-to-earth and approachable manner, Badawi was instrumental in bringing about reforms for gender equality and greater media freedom—with many of his decisions often drawing criticism from his predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
After withdrawing from public life in his later years, Badawi dedicated much of his time to writing and poetry, publishing a book of poems entitled I Seek Eternal Peace, which has been translated into more than 80 languages.
In a Facebook post today, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called Badawi “a person with a great soul who instilled a new narrative in Malaysia’s politics of power”. Fondly known as ‘Pak Lah,’ he is remembered for his gentle leadership, efforts in anti-corruption reform, and commitment to civil service integrity.
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Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
