SHAH ALAM, April 14 — Former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi died at 7.10pm today at the National Heart Institute.
He was 85.
Abdullah’s death was announced by his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin.
“May God shower his soul with grace and place it among the virtuous. Al-Fatihah,” Khairy posted on social media.
The former prime minister is survived by his wife Jeanne Abdullah and two children from his previous marriage to Endon Mahmood.
Fondly known as “Pak Lah”, Abdullah was born in Bayan Lepas, Penang, on November 26, 1939.
He took over as prime minister from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad from October 31, 2003, to April 3, 2009.
According to Bernama, IJN in a statement said Abdullah was admitted yesterday morning after experiencing breathing difficulties.
It said Abdullah was placed under intensive care at the Coronary Care Unit, where he was closely monitored by its dedicated team of cardiac specialists, but despite all medical efforts, he died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones.
According to IJN chief executive officer Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, the entire IJN family is united in grief as they mourn the loss of Abdullah.
“Caring for him in his final hours was both a privilege and an honour. His humility and grace touched many of our staff, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
“May he rest in eternal peace, Al-Fatihah,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.
Abdullah’s attending consultant cardiologist and IJN Cardiology Department head Datuk Dr Azmee Ghazi said the former prime minister carried himself with quiet strength and dignity.
“Even in his final moments, he remained calm and kind. It was truly an honour for our team to be by his side,” he said.
IJN extended its deepest sympathies to the family of Abdullah and requested their privacy be respected during this time of mourning.
It said the family and the Malaysian government will share funeral arrangements and official announcements in due course.
