Former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, a moderate who extended the country’s political freedoms but was criticised for lacklustre leadership, has died of heart disease. He was 85.
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Abdullah entered the critical care unit at the National Heart Institute on April 25, 2024 after being diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax, a collapsed lung that occurs without any apparent cause.
Affectionately known as “Pak Lah,” Abdullah was admitted to Kuala Lumpur’s State Institute of Heart on Sunday after experiencing breathing difficulties where he was closely monitored by a cardiac specialists team, but he passed away on Monday at 7.10pm despite all medical efforts, said the hospital in a statement.
Abdullah, Malaysia’s fifth leader, served from 2003 to 2009, when he was pressured to resign to take responsibility for the governing coalition’s dismal results in national elections. He kept a low profile after leaving politics.
In 2022, his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, disclosed that Abdullah had dementia that was progressively worsening. He said Abdullah had trouble speaking and could not recognise his family.
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Abdullah took office in October 2003, riding a wave of popularity as he replaced Mahathir Mohamad, a domineering, sharp-tongued leader known for his semi-authoritarian rule during 22 years in office.