KEPALA BATAS: Long before Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became Malaysia's fifth prime minister, he was Pak Lah to the people of Kepala Batas, a quiet, soft-spoken figure whose decades-long presence reshaped the town he called home.
News of Abdullah's passing at the National Heart Institute (IJN) on Monday has stirred a wave of remembrance in this northern Penang town, where residents recall not only a national leader but a constituency man who brought lasting change to the place he served for seven consecutive parliamentary terms, from 1978 to 2008.
Locals credit Abdullah with shepherding its transformation from a sleepy backwater, often described as a cowboy town, into a thriving township with schools, roads and expanding infrastructure.
"He changed Kepala Batas from a cowboy town into a proper township," said Datuk Shariful Azhar Othman, chairman of the Al Jamiul Badawi Mosque, which bears deep generational ties to Abdullah's family.
"This mosque was built in the time of his grandfather, Sheikh Abdullah Fahim, a respected religious scholar, then continued by his father, and now him. His legacy is embedded here," he noted.
Following the announcement of Abdullah's death at age 85 on Monday (April 14), mosques across Kepala Batas held Yasin recitations in his honour, a gesture of spiritual remembrance befitting a man known for his piety and measured temperament.
Shariful, who also served as a state assemblyman, remembers Abdullah as more than a political figure.
"He was a mentor in both politics and religion. His speech was gentle, his worship sincere. He was a noble man. This mosque will continue to carry his memory," he said.
Others shared similar sentiments. Mohd Saleh Rashid, a 72-year-old retired teacher who had known Abdullah since childhood, spoke of a leader who never let office erect barriers between himself and the people.
"Pak Lah was deeply connected with the people of Kepala Batas, especially here in Permatang Bertam. He worked hard to develop Kepala Batas for the benefit of the community.
"I've seen how he built strong, respectful relationships with non-Muslim political leaders too," he said.
Former Kepala Batas MIC chief and long-time colleague Datuk SST Muniandy recalled a leader who embodied patience, respect, and emotional intelligence in governance.
"I saw first-hand how he truly listened to people. Abdullah responded with care. He was grounded not just in facts, but also in humanity," he said.
Abdullah led Malaysia from 2003 to 2009, stepping into the highest office after succeeding Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. In later years, he receded from public life due to declining health, but his impact remained visible, especially in the places closest to him.
As the people of Kepala Batas pay their final respects at the Makam Pahlawan in Kuala Lumpur's National Mosque, the town stands as a living tribute to Pak Lah's legacy. - Bernama
