(FILES) Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (left) and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (right) exchange signed documents during the launch of the Eminent Persons' Groups between both countries, in Kuala Lumpur on July 7, 2008 ahead of the D8 Summit. Former Malaysian prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who eased on political freedoms after taking over from his iron-fisted predecessor but criticised for lacklustre leadership, has died on April 14, 2025, his family said. Affectionately known as "Pak Lah" or Uncle Lah, Abdullah served as the country's fifth prime minister from 2003 until 2009 when he was was forced to resign after his ruling coalition's poor showing in general elections. - AFP
JAKARTA (Bernama): Former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has paid a heartfelt tribute to Malaysia’s fifth prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, calling him "a true friend and a man of unwavering integrity” following his passing on Monday.
Susilo, who served from 2004 to 2014, recalled Abdullah, who was fondly known as "Pak Lah”, as a sincere and principled leader, committed to strengthening ties between Indonesia and Malaysia.
"Whenever issues arose between our countries, we stood united in seeking the best solutions,” he stated in a statement.
The sixth Indonesian president, often referred to as SBY, reflected on their close working relationship, marked by trust and open communication.
"We spoke often, at any time of the day or night, wherever we were. There were no political or psychological barriers between us,” Susilo said.
One significant memory, he recalled was Abdullah’s 2006 visit to Jakarta, where the two discussed the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Lebanon.
The meeting sparked their joint initiative to convene an emergency summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Kuala Lumpur, which Malaysia chaired at the time.
"The summit paved the way for the deployment of an Indonesian mechanised battalion as part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon,” Susilo said.
He also highlighted a bilateral meeting in Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra, which was unusual for not being held in Jakarta, where the two leaders agreed on several key cooperation agendas.
"Amid the packed schedule, we even made time to exercise together and greet locals in Padang Pariaman,” he added.
Susilo said their time in office was filled with a shared purpose, noting that Abdullah, like himself, always aimed to be part of the solution and worked towards a better future.
"Farewell, Pak Lah. May Allah SWT welcome him into His mercy and eternal peace. Aamin.”
Abdullah was laid to rest with full state funeral honours at the Heroes’ Mausoleum near the National Mosque in the capital at 2.30 pm local time on Tuesday. - Bernama
