Ex-Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi dies at 85

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia known for his pledges of reform following the tenure of his authoritarian predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad, has passed away, according to his family.

Badawi, aged 85, died in hospital on Monday after battling a prolonged illness.

A state funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, after which he will be laid to rest.

Fondly referred to as "Pak Lah" or Uncle Lah, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi assumed the role of Malaysia's prime minister in 2003, taking over from Mahathir Mohamad, the outspoken and authoritative leader who stepped down after 22 years in office.

Abdullah became the country’s fifth prime minister and remained in office until 2009. His tenure came to an end after his coalition suffered major setbacks in the general elections, coupled with mounting pressure and criticism from Mahathir, who had grown disillusioned with his chosen successor.

Seen as a moderate and gentle figure, Abdullah stood in stark contrast to Mahathir's commanding style.

His leadership marked a shift from tight control toward more political openness, a change that was welcomed by many and contributed to the National Front's sweeping victory in the 2004 elections.

However, not all were convinced—critics viewed him as lacking decisiveness and strength in leadership.

Following his departure from office, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi largely stayed out of the public spotlight.

Current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim paid homage to him, calling him "a man of great soul who introduced a new tone in Malaysia’s political landscape."

Anwar described Abdullah as both a friend and a dignified statesman, noting that he governed with calmness and restraint—"a face free of anger, hands that never clutched at power, and a voice that remained composed, even in the face of constant criticism."

Reflecting on their past, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shared that during one of the most difficult periods in his life—when he was imprisoned under Mahathir's administration—Abdullah never added to his pain with harsh words.

"That was the essence of Pak Lah," Anwar wrote on Facebook. "He always chose peace, even when retaliation would have been easy."

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also paid tribute, noting that during his six-year tenure, Abdullah made meaningful contributions to Malaysia’s social and economic progress.

Former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recalled his long acquaintance with Abdullah, saying, "I knew Pak Lah before either of us became prime ministers. He served his nation with unwavering commitment, working diligently to address its challenges and improve the lives of its people."