Former Malaysia PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dies at 85

Key Concepts:

• Abdullah Ahmed Badawi: Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister (2003-2009).
• Khairy Jamaluddin: Abdullah's son-in-law, former Health Minister.
• Iskandar Malaysia: Key economic corridor established by Abdullah in Johor.
• Dementia: Cognitive decline, condition Abdullah suffered from.
• Anwar Ibrahim: Current Prime Minister of Malaysia.
• Lawrence Wong: Prime Minister of Singapore.

Death and Circumstances

Malaysia's former Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmed Badawi, passed away on April 14th at 7:10 PM at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur. The announcement was made by his son-in-law, former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, via an Instagram post. While the cause of death was not specified, Khairy mentioned that Abdullah had been admitted on April 13th due to breathing difficulties. It was also revealed in 2022 that Abdullah had been suffering from dementia.

Abdullah's Tenure as Prime Minister (2003-2009)

Abdullah Ahmed Badawi served as Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. A significant achievement during his tenure was the establishment of key economic corridors, notably Iskandar Malaysia in Johor. This initiative aimed to stimulate private sector investment and foster human capital development across the country.

Tributes and Reactions

Following the announcement of his death, tributes poured in from leaders in Malaysia and Singapore. Malaysia's current Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, expressed his condolences on Facebook, stating, "Pak Lah taught us the meaning of humanity in leadership," and described him as a leader with a "big heart." Singapore's Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, acknowledged Abdullah as a respected leader who helped Malaysia "stand tall in the world."

Conclusion

The passing of Abdullah Ahmed Badawi marks the end of an era for Malaysian politics. His contributions, particularly the establishment of economic corridors like Iskandar Malaysia, are remembered as key drivers of economic growth and development. The tributes from both Malaysian and Singaporean leaders highlight his impact and the respect he garnered during his time in office.