KUALA LUMPUR: The late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi paved the way for young Malaysian women in politics, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in charge of Law and Institutional Reform said she fondly remembers Abdullah, who alleviated the role of young Malay women as leaders in politics.
"He strongly supported Puteri Umno when was the party's deputy president by empowering young Malay women.
"It was him who started this culture where we have young women leaders in politics today.
"Pak Lah's legacy has always been a leader that develops more leaders," she said after paying her last respects to Abdullah when met at Masjid Negara on Tuesday (April 15).
Azalina, who was former Puteri Umno chief, also described Abdullah as having a cosmopolitan view of what the nation's multicultural society should aspire to be.
"Pak Lah taught me that I can be a Malay nationalist, but I cannot forget the fact that I am also a Malaysian.
"Born a Malay, born a Muslim, but I am a Malaysian.
"He allowed us to fight for our race and our religion, but it did not mean we discriminate the other races and religions," she added.
Azalina began her cabinet under Abdullah's administration when she was appointed as one of the youngest Youth and Sports Minister in 2004.
She also described Abdullah as a very calm leader, even when attacked.
"He doesn't react and is not easily provoked or respond to gossip.
"He was an extremely calm and an extremely nice man," she said.
