SULTAN Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim paid a heartfelt visit to the grave of Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, at the Makam Pahlawan near Masjid Negara today.
The royal couple spent around 30 minutes at the site, participating in tahlil prayers led by National Mosque Grand Imam Ehsan Mohd Hosni before scattering flower petals and sprinkling rosewater on the late statesman's grave.
Also present were the President of the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk), Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini, and Tun Abdullah’s children, Tan Sri Kamaluddin and Nori Abdullah.
Following the tribute, Sultan Nazrin and Tuanku Zara also visited the graves of other former national leaders interred at the Makam Pahlawan, including Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba, and Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman.
Tun Abdullah, affectionately known as "Pak Lah", passed away at the National Heart Institute (IJN) at 7.10pm on 14 April. He was 85.
Remembered as a leader of integrity and humility, Tun Abdullah served as Malaysia’s Prime Minister from 31 October 2003 to 3 April 2009. His legacy includes transformative initiatives such as the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the J-QAF education programme, and major strides in developing the country’s halal industry.
In a special sitting, the Dewan Rakyat formally recorded its condolences, with Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul describing Abdullah as “a statesman of the highest calibre, a leader of the people, and a figure whose contributions to the nation were immense and enduring.”
"His passing is a tremendous loss, deeply felt by Malaysians across all walks of life," Johari said, before calling on Muslim members of Parliament to recite the al-Fatihah and non-Muslim members to observe a minute’s silence in honour of the late leader.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also paid tribute in the same session, describing Abdullah as “a pivotal figure who initiated several early reforms, including in the Malaysian Parliament.”
“I wish to express my condolences to Tun Abdullah’s family, to the people of Kepala Batas and Penang. The nation has paid its highest respects with a State Funeral and his burial at the Makam Pahlawan,” Anwar said. - May 5, 2025
