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THE nation came together in solemn reflection today as Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was laid to rest at the Makam Pahlawan, the National Heroes’ Mausoleum, beside Masjid Negara in Kuala Lumpur.
His daughter, Nori Abdullah, expressed the family’s deep gratitude for the outpouring of support and remembrance shown by Malaysians from all walks of life.
“We are grateful for everything, truly. We are thankful for the honour given to him, and the way everyone has remembered him,” she said.
“Alhamdulillah for it all. Alhamdulillah, he has returned to his Creator and we accept God’s will. Everything went quickly and smoothly. We hope he will always be remembered,” she said after her father was laid to rest.
Nori is the daughter of Tun Abdullah and the late Tun Endon Mahmood, who died in 2005 from cancer.
The former prime minister, who served from 2003 to 2009, passed away at the National Heart Institute yesterday evening at the age of 84.
Rulers, dignitaries, foreign envoys, and members of the public gathered to honour a leader widely respected for his soft-spoken demeanour, diplomatic acumen, and devotion to public service.
The funeral prayer was held at the mosque’s main prayer hall at 1.50pm, before the burial at 2.28pm.
Abdullah’s son-in-law, former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin praised the dignified and inclusive manner in which the ceremony was held.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to family members, close friends, and members of the public who came to pay their respects to Pak Lah,” he said, using Abdullah’s popular nickname.
“We also greatly appreciate the presence of foreign dignitaries.”
Among the foreign representatives were Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Madam Ho Ching, as well as various diplomats who shared personal recollections of Abdullah’s tenure as both foreign minister and prime minister.
Khairy noted that several Malaysian royal households were represented, including the Sultan of Terengganu, Tengku Mizan Zainal Abidin, along with members of the royal families of Negeri Sembilan and Pahang. The governors (Tuan Yang Dipertua) of Melaka, Sabah and Penang were also present.
The country’s current leadership was in full attendance, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his two deputies, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also came to pay their respects.
“But I think what made this moment truly special is that, as we all know, Pak Lah was a leader who placed little emphasis on protocol,” said Khairy.
“That’s why we decided to allow everyone — dignitaries and members of the public alike — to attend at the same time. All who wished to honour Pak Lah’s legacy were welcomed to offer their final respects.”
Khairy also thanked the Prime Minister’s Department — particularly its Ceremonial Division — as well as the Department of Information, Masjid Negara, the police, armed forces and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) for ensuring the smooth organisation of the state funeral.
Born in Bayan Lepas, Penang on November 26, 1939, Abdullah was a career politician who represented Kepala Batas in Parliament from 1978 to 2008.
He succeeded Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister in 2003, pledging greater transparency, reform, and moderation.
He stepped down in 2009 after six years in office, leaving behind a mixed but impactful legacy marked by political openness and a commitment to civilisational Islam.
He passed away peacefully on Sunday at 7.10pm after experiencing breathing difficulties. – April 15, 2025