KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 — A sombre atmosphere enveloped Masjid Negara in Kuala Lumpur today as the nation bid farewell to its fifth prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, affectionately known as Pak Lah, who passed away yesterday evening.
Family members, dignitaries, and close friends gathered to pay their last respects to the late statesman from 10am to 1pm, with guests entering the mosque in stages.
Among those present were former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who arrived at 10.40am, Deputy Minister of Works Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, former health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, and legendary musician Ramli Sarip.
Abdullah’s remains were brought from his residence in Bait Badawi, located at Persiaran Tuanku Jaafar, at 8.10am to Masjid Negara for the final rites and funeral prayers.
He will be accorded a state funeral and will be buried at the Heroes’ Mausoleum at Masjid Negara.
Abdullah died at the National Heart Institute (IJN) at 7.10pm yesterday at the age of 85.
In a statement, IJN said that Abdullah was admitted on Sunday (April 13) morning after experiencing breathing difficulties.
— Bernama
