Abdullah Badawi's poetry, not infrastructure, is his legacy, says son at MRSM renaming in Kepala Batas
KEPALA BATAS, May 12 — The family of Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi described the renaming of Kepala Batas Junior Science College (MRSM) to Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi MRSM as a profound honour and recognition to his legacy.
Abdullah's son, Tan Sri Kamaluddin said the renaming held special significance as it was in his father's former parliamentary constituency of Kepala Batas.
'It really is a very meaningful gesture as the college is in Kepala Batas, a place close to Pak Lah's (Abdullah) heart. This is where he was born, grew up, educated and where he, along with his parents were laid to rest. He also served the people of Kepala Batas for over three decades.
'On behalf of our family, I extend our gratitude to the Malaysian government, the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and also Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, all leaders and the people of Kepala Batas for bestowing this honour upon my father today,' he said during a speech at the renaming ceremony here today.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister officiated the ceremony, while Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar and Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid were also present.
Kamaluddin shared that following his father's death, his family had received many visitors offering their condolences and shared personal stories about Abdullah, many of which highlighted his calm patient nature.
To them, Abdullah was a man who treated everyone with respect, regardless of status and never drew distinctions between people.
'To truly understand who Abdullah was, we need only read his collected works of poetry 'Mencari Damai Abadi'. That was who Pak Lah really was, a humble man who lived his life according to Allah's teachings, a simple soul chosen to lead a nation.
'His poetry is his legacy, not roads, bridges or skyscrapers. They offer a way of life for us as a guide till the hereafter,' he added. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
19 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
MTUC says human resources minister responsible for incomplete Malaysian delegation to International Labour Conference, denies leadership void
KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) today accused the human resources minister of misleading the public and interfering in the union's internal affairs, amid controversy surrounding Malaysia's participation in the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC). In a strongly worded statement, MTUC said the minister had no authority to claim the organisation lacked leadership, asserting that the current leadership lies with the Joint Special Committee, which was established by a Court of Appeal order in February this year. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong was singled out by MTUC as being responsible for what it called a failure to ensure proper representation of Malaysian workers at the ILC. 'The minister should be held responsible for the failure of an incomplete Malaysian delegation to the ILC,' MTUC said. 'The MTUC is the most represented organisation of workers in Malaysia. As required by the International Labour Organisation's Constitution, the MTUC is responsible for nominating the workers' delegation, while the minister's duty is merely to deposit the names submitted by MTUC.' MTUC added that preparations for its upcoming leadership elections, scheduled for August 2 and 3, were progressing well and dismissed any suggestion of a leadership vacuum. It also accused the minister of misusing government machinery, including the Attorney General's Chambers, to cover his alleged misconduct. The union noted that Malaysia has been shortlisted for discussion at the ILC regarding its compliance with Convention 98, which concerns the right to organise and bargain collectively. MTUC criticised the minister for failing to ensure that Malaysian workers' representatives were properly registered at the ILC, accusing him of attempting to avoid scrutiny of the country's labour laws, particularly concerning anti-union discrimination. 'If indeed, the minister was sincere in wanting to ensure that workers are represented at the ILC, he would have contacted and discussed with the Joint Special Committee as soon as the invitation from the ILO was received,' MTUC said. The union stressed the importance of having a complete and robust tripartite delegation at the ILC to advance labour reforms and national development, instead of sidelining MTUC's role.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
PM urges Asean-GCC to act on Gaza
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger cooperation between Asean countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to end Israel's atrocities in Gaza. Speaking to reporters after performing Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Putra here yesterday, Anwar said that regional and international collective efforts are crucial to ending the prolonged conflict and the suffering of the Palestinian people. 'We've conveyed our stance (through a Wisma Putra statement), but this cannot be the effort of just one country. As we saw in recent engagements with Gulf nations, there is a shared consensus. 'So Asean, the Gulf states and a few other countries can come together to provide a clear message and exert strong pressure on the world to put a stop to it (Israel's brutality),' he said, Bernama reported. He was responding to the United States' use of its veto power on a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid. Malaysia has expressed deep regret and disappointment over the repeated failure of the UNSC to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, as well as the removal of restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a statement last Thursday, the Foreign Ministry stressed that the UNSC's repeated failure to act on one of the worst humanitarian tragedies since World War II, due to the use of veto power, is regrettable and deeply disappointing. Anwar also said that the continued actions of countries supplying arms to Israel are unacceptable and go against the principles of international law. 'It's contradictory when they issue statements of condemnation, yet continue to supply or sell weapons to Israel. Such actions violate the principles of international law and humanitarian norms. 'We strongly condemn (the atrocities) and seek diplomatic avenues to support the Palestinian struggle and help them reclaim their legitimate rights, including in Gaza,' Anwar said. Separately, Anwar said during phone conversations with leaders of other Muslim nations, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, they had expressed concern over the violence committed by the Zionist regime. 'All of them conveyed a clear stance, and we have agreed to continue consultations to find a resolution to this crisis as soon as possible,' he added.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Pakistan's Asean partnership bid to be discussed
Warm wishes: Anwar shaking hands with members of the public after attending the Aidiladha prayers at the Putra Mosque in Putrajaya. — Bernama PUTRAJAYA: Pakistan's bid to become a full dialogue partner with Asean will be discussed with leaders of the regional grouping, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'It will be brought up for discussion at the Asean leaders' conference,' he told reporters briefly after performing the Aidiladha prayers at the Putra Mosque here yesterday. He said this when asked to comment on Pakistan's renewed efforts to elevate its partnership status with Asean, Bernama reported. Yesterday, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah said that Islamabad is renewing its push to become a full dialogue partner, reflecting the country's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and deepening engagement with the bloc. Pakistan, which became Asean's first sectoral dialogue partner in 1993, values its cooperation with the regional grouping and aims to further expand the ties. In October last year, Anwar was quoted as saying that Malaysia fully supported Pakistan's efforts to become a full dialogue partner of Asean. When asked about Pakistan welcoming his offer to mediate in the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, Anwar said Malaysia only hopes for a peaceful resolution. 'I have no role to play; I'm simply offering my opinion,' he said. Earlier, Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, performed the Aidiladha prayers alongside nearly 15,000 congregants at the Putra Mosque. Anwar, dressed in a light blue baju Melayu, arrived at 7.50am and was greeted by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan. The Prime Minister also joined the congregation to recite the takbir raya before performing the Aidiladha prayers, led by the Grand Imam of the Putra Mosque, Dr Muhamad Zakuwa Rodzali. He then listened to the Aidiladha sermon, which emphasised the importance of intention, proper conduct and sincerity in performing the sacrificial ritual. Before departing, he took time to mingle and shake hands with members of the congregation. Meanwhile, Anwar said Malaysia supports the measures taken by Thailand and Cambodia in addressing the border dispute involving both countries. He said Malaysia, as the Chair of Asean 2025, will follow the development of the negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia through the Joint Boundary Commission scheduled for June 14 in Phnom Penh, in addition to providing the cooperation required for the talks. 'I spoke with both the prime ministers (of Thailand and Cambodia), and they have taken several measures that we support, namely the June 14 talks regarding the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute. 'I'm ready to follow and provide the cooperation (that is) required. So far, both governments have taken the stance of continuing negotiations amicably,' he told the media. On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops were involved in a brief skirmish in Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, which reportedly resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Cambodia has since announced its intention to bring the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Thailand, meanwhile, has reportedly reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue peacefully in accordance with international law, as well as existing agreements and memoranda with Cambodia.
