Pak Lah’s remains arrive at Masjid Negara

KUALA LUMPUR: The sky hung heavy with grey clouds on Tuesday (April 15) morning, a cool breeze weaving through the city as puddles shimmered on the roads near Masjid Negara – remnants of an earlier rain.

It was a solemn morning, one that seemed to echo the mood of a grieving nation.

At about 8.15am, the remains of Malaysia’s fifth prime minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, arrived at Masjid Negara, where final rites are being carried out ahead of his burial.

Abdullah, known affectionately as Pak Lah, will be laid to rest later today at the Heroes’ Mausoleum, National Mosque here.

Beginning at 11am, members of the public will be allowed to pay their last respects to the former prime minister at the mosque’s main prayer hall.

Son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin said that cloaks will be provided to non-Muslims at the mosque if needed.

Pak Lah passed away peacefully at the National Heart Institute (IJN) at 7.10pm yesterday, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 85.

Khairy told reporters at a press conference last night that Abdullah was calm in his final moments, and that his passing was witnessed by his wife Tun Jeanne Abdullah and their family.

It is learned that Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to pay his last respects to his predecessor.

The former prime minister, who is attending proceedings in the 1MDB trial, is being allowed to do so by the court, escorted by Prison Department officials.