Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has died at the age of 85. His death was confirmed by both family members and the National Heart Institute on Monday (14 April 2025).
Abdullah passed away at 7.10pm at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur, according to his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, a former health minister.
In a post on Instagram, Khairy stated that Abdullah died peacefully but did not disclose the cause of death.
The National Heart Institute reported that Abdullah had been admitted on Sunday, 13 April, after experiencing breathing difficulties. He was immediately placed in intensive care but did not respond to treatment.
“Despite all medical efforts, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones,” the Institute said in an official statement.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became Malaysia’s prime minister in 2003, following the retirement of Mahathir Mohamad, who had served in the role for 22 years.
His leadership marked a transitional period in Malaysian politics, during which he promoted anti-corruption measures and advocated for what he termed “Islam Hadhari,” or Civilisational Islam.
This concept aimed to reconcile Islamic values with economic development, scientific advancement, and social justice, while firmly rejecting extremism.
Abdullah’s vision positioned Malaysia as a moderate voice in the Muslim world during a period of global tension following the 11 September attacks.
His tenure also saw Malaysia experience significant economic growth, although it was not without controversy. Abdullah’s administration came under criticism after his government reduced fuel subsidies in 2008, which led to a sharp rise in fuel prices and public discontent.
The Barisan Nasional coalition, led by Abdullah, suffered a major setback in the 2008 general election.
It lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time since Malaysia’s independence. This result was widely seen as a vote of no confidence in Abdullah’s administration.
Facing pressure from within his party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Abdullah announced his decision to step down. He officially left office in April 2009 and was succeeded by Najib Razak.
Following his resignation, Abdullah largely withdrew from public life.
He maintained a low profile while continuing to serve as an elder statesman and was occasionally consulted on national issues. His health had reportedly been in decline in recent years.
Tributes are expected to pour in from political figures and members of the public in the coming days. As of publication, funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Abdullah is survived by his wife, Jeanne Abdullah, and children. He was previously married to Endon Mahmood, who died in 2005 after a battle with cancer.
Abdullah’s death marks the end of an era in Malaysian politics, as he was among the last of a generation of leaders who had played prominent roles in the post-independence development of the country.
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