Abdullah Badawi Ahmad, the former Malaysian prime minister who pledged political reform following the long rule of Mahathir Mohamad but was later criticised for weak leadership, has died at the age of 85, his family confirmed.
The former leader passed away in a hospital on Monday after a prolonged illness. A state funeral will be held on Tuesday before his burial.
Widely known as “Pak Lah” or Uncle Lah, Abdullah Badawi assumed office in 2003, taking over from Mahathir, whose 22-year tenure was marked by authoritarian control and combative rhetoric. Abdullah’s gentler, more moderate style offered a stark contrast, and many Malaysians initially welcomed what they saw as a breath of fresh air.
He led the country as its fifth prime minister until 2009, when he was pressured to step down following his coalition’s disappointing performance in the general elections and relentless public criticism from Mahathir — the very man who had once hand-picked him as a successor.
Abdullah’s leadership was praised for promoting greater freedoms and a softer political tone, helping his National Front coalition secure a landslide victory in 2004. However, critics increasingly viewed him as indecisive and ineffective, especially in tackling corruption and economic challenges.
After leaving office, Abdullah Badawi largely withdrew from the public eye.
Current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim paid tribute, calling Abdullah “a person with a great soul who instilled a new narrative in Malaysia’s politics of power.”
In a heartfelt message on Facebook, Anwar recalled: “He led with a face that was not angry, hands that did not grab at power, and a voice that was never raised despite relentless attacks. During the darkest chapter of my life, Abdullah never added insult to injury — that was the character of Pak Lah, a man who always chose peace, even when retaliation was easy.”
Singaporean leaders also expressed their condolences. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong praised Abdullah for his “significant contributions to Malaysia’s social and economic development” during his six years in office.
Former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reflected on their long acquaintance, saying: “I knew Pak Lah since before we became PMs. He served his country with great dedication, working tirelessly to tackle Malaysia’s challenges and uplift the lives of Malaysians.”
