The PM I Admired Who Just Passed On...

 

I HAVE BEEN an admirer of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi since I was seventeen.

        Many years later, I reconnected with one of the fellow participants of the Career Guidance Camp we attended—Brian Lariche, who was from another school. He still remembered me as "the guy who gave a bear hug to Pak Lah."

        It was an impulsive act. I was generally reserved and avoided being too expressive. But that was the age when I was beginning to understand and embrace what some might call a brotherly hug. And to offer one to a minister? That was unthinkable for a student!

        Yet, at that tender age, I was completely mesmerised by what Pak Lah shared about his early years. At the time, he had just transitioned from the Ministry of Federal Territories to the Ministry of Education and was invited as the guest-of-honour to present certificates to school Career Guidance Club representatives.

        I still remember vividly what the young Abdullah Badawi said: "When I was a toddler, I hardly knew anything about career guidance. In fact, I grew up in a rural place where we all ran around 'telanjang'."

        He shared this story in simple, conversational Malay—and I loved it. How could an adult, let alone a minister, admit to running around without pants?!! That moment revealed Pak Lah’s willingness to genuinely connect with us, even though we were just a bunch of teenagers who knew nothing about politics.

        When my name was called, I felt I had to do something different to show my appreciation. As I walked up to the stage, a thought flashed through my mind: Give him a bear hug.

        And so I did.

        It shocked the organisers. For a brief moment, I was told, the entire room froze. I imagine they prayed there wouldn’t be any security incident—they would have been held accountable if anything went wrong!

        Years later, I had the chance to meet him again at his first Raya Open House. I queued patiently, just to shake his hand and remind him, “I was the young boy who gave you that hug.”

        He smiled warmly and pointed at me with his index finger, “Oh, you!”

        After that, I never really tried to reconnect. I went back to living my ordinary life. I have never been one to chase after VIPs or seek to rub shoulders with those in power.

        Once, I met one of his former aides, who had become a radio station controller. He encouraged me to visit Pak Lah when he was serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs, saying, “He’s so friendly, he’ll welcome anyone who walks into his office.” He even added, “Pak Lah will be the next Deputy Prime Minister soon.”

        I believed him, but I didn’t follow through. I was busy with work and had no particular desire to involve myself with political figures.

        But in truth, I have always been drawn to people who are conscientious and compassionate. I value those who prioritise friendships, and I only seek to connect with such individuals.

        Pak Lah was one of those rare people I could—and perhaps should—have stayed connected with. When I later learned of his dementia diagnosis, I asked around to see if I could join others in visiting him. Sadly, I never got the opportunity.

        Even when I was given Jeanne Abdullah's number, I did not get a response from her at all. I dare say, if it had been Pak Lah, he would have responded immediately.

        When news of his passing broke, I immediately tried to find out if a state funeral was planned, and what the visiting hours would be. But I was already committed to a scheduled trip to Bentong and Raub, which I knew I could not postpone.

        For that reason, I must say this now: I miss you, my friend and my Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

        I truly appreciated your short, but meaningful, tenure as our Prime Minister.

My Observations about Pak Lah's stint as PM: 

1. It was one of the most hopeful and refreshing periods in Malaysian history, coming after 22 long years of Mahathirism.

2. That’s why, when Pak Lah took over the reins from Dr Mahathir, Barisan Nasional (BN) secured a landslide victory—it was a moment that captured the people's renewed optimism.

It is not something that Johari Abdul Ghani or Syed Saddiq could whip up overnight, as both had never spoken up against the extent of corruption in this nation. For that reason, I think Anwar is a far better choice as he seeks to address the age-old problem plaguing the nation.

3. Perhaps it was Pak Lah's popularity that stirred a sense of jealousy in Dr Mahathir—Pak Lah had managed to win the hearts of Malaysians in a way that felt genuine and unifying, something the country hadn’t seen in decades. He was also able to build friendships with world leaders. 

4. During Dr Mahathir’s tenure, Malaysia’s diplomatic ties with countries like Singapore and Australia had deteriorated to near breaking point. Paul Keating famously called him “recalcitrant,” and his relationship with the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew was perpetually strained.

In contrast, just as Anwar Ibrahim would later attempt, Pak Lah prioritised mending those fractured relationships. Rebuilding trust with Singapore and Australia was a clear step in the right direction. After all, it is the job of leaders to build, instead of destroying bridges. 

5. For a while, it seemed like things were finally moving forward. But then, Dr Mahathir began to spew more toxicity—publicly criticising Pak Lah with increasing hostility. I remember feeling so frustrated that I started speaking up in the media, calling out the "despicable behaviour of the old fox." What we saw happening in 1998 did not initially move us, but it was the subsequent attacks that Dr Mahathir did to Pak Lah that most of us had become very fed-up with Dr. Mahathir's Umno. 

When I asked to interview the late Tan Sri Ani Arope regarding the events leading to the Paka station shutdown, one editor told me, "Whack! Whack!" Ani Arope was going to expose the evils he had to face because he refused to sign the concessions. 

6. Meanwhile, although he was languishing behind bars, Anwar's shout of Reformasi was heard loud and clear. However, I did not expect the outcome of the 2008 general election. My wife and I were overseas at the time, monitoring the results online along with fellow Malaysians. To many of us, the message was clear: people were no longer willing to tolerate Dr Mahathir’s shadow looming over the nation—or what BN and Umno had become under his lingering influence. He had overstayed his years as a political leaders, but I was sad for Pak Lah's departure from the premiership. 

Sadly, even though Pak Lah was still leading the coalition, the BN machinery had turned into a cold, unfeeling terminator—disconnected from the rakyat and incapable of genuine reform.

7. A lot of the labels thrown at Pak Lah were ridiculous. In retrospect, when reporter friends told me that Pak Lah would dose off while seated in an important function, I defended him, saying, "It's not easy for the kind of schedule that he trying to fit into his day." I suspect Pak Lah had sleep apnoea too. I won't go into all the other labels as I think the man deserves more respect for restoring some sanity in this country. 

Pak Lah’s vision of Islam Hadhari—much like Anwar’s Madani concept or the inclusive interpretation of Islam championed by the late Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat—was far more acceptable to non-Muslims than the rigid and polarising version promoted by PAS under Hadi Awang or the mufti of Perlis, Dr Maza. 

What many of us long for is a more progressive and compassionate Islam—one that reflects the spirit of unity and modernity seen in places like Türkiye.

Pak Lah, although we had few opportunities to connect—partly due to my own disinterest in politics in my younger days—I have always stood by you in spirit.

To me, you remain one of the finest leaders Malaysia has ever had. You were such a gentleman despite being the country's top leader. You led with gentleness, integrity, and a heart for the people. 

If only you had a stronger, broader base of support within Barisan Nasional, I truly believe Malaysia would have soared to even greater heights under your leadership. Now, my wish is for Anwar to bring us to the next level and only God can grant my wish! 

You are still fondly our Pak Lah, and will always be, deeply loved by those who could hear your heartbeat.

END. 

Also, read https://come-to-senses.blogspot.com/2025/04/bravo-dssn-and-team.html

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