PETALING JAYA: MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has expressed his condolences for the passing of Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"Today, I paid my last respects to Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Pak Lah) at his residence and offered my condolences to Tan Sri Kamaluddin Abdullah, Nori Abdullah, and Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar," he said in a post on his Facebook page on Monday (April 14).
Dr Wee recalled the start of his political career, closely tied to Tun Abdullah's leadership.
"The letter of appointment (watikah) naming me as the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat in the 11th General Election was signed personally by Pak Lah," he said.
"Pak Lah was a statesman of integrity, humility, and compassion.
"His leadership style was one of quiet strength, one that always put the nation’s interests above all else.
"I will always remember his sincerity, his unwavering commitment to unity, and his deep sense of duty to Malaysia.
"I had the honour of serving during his administration as the Deputy Minister of Education, and I learned much from his example," he said.
"May he rest in peace," Dr Wee.
Abdullah, 85, passed away at National Heart Institute at 7.10pm on Monday. His son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, confirmed the news in an Instagram post.
