KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 — Foreign envoys in Malaysia have extended their condolences and joined Malaysians in mourning the passing of former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, honouring his legacy as a statesman.
Among them were Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata and Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi, who paid their last respects and attended the state funeral held at the Heroes’ Mausoleum near Masjid at 2.30pm today.
Abdullah, 85, Malaysia’s fifth prime minister, passed away at 7.10pm at the National Heart Institute yesterday.
In a post on its official Instagram account, accompanied by an image of the national flag flying at half-mast within its compound, the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said: “It is with profound sadness that we have learnt of the demise of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, former prime minister of Malaysia.
“Our deepest and sincerest condolences to his family and the people of Malaysia.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Embassy of Iran in Malaysia said: “Attending the funeral ceremony of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Pak Lah), former prime minister of Malaysia, at the Negara Mosque today.”
The embassy shared an image of its ambassador paying his last respects at Masjid Negara.
Meanwhile, the British High Commission in Malaysia also paid tribute to the former prime minister, posting a black-and-white image of the late leader along with the message: “Our deepest condolences on the passing of former PM Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his friends and the people of Malaysia during this difficult time. Al-Fatihah," it said.
Meanwhile, the South African High Commission in Malaysia, via Instagram, shared that its chargé d’affaires Jabu Msibi signed the book of condolences today.
“The South African High Commission to Malaysia extends its deepest condolences to the family of Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi and to all Malaysians,” it said, accompanied by a video of the signing.
Abdullah served as Malaysia’s fifth prime minister from 2003 to 2009.
— Bernama
