LETTER | On April 15, Malaysia bade farewell to another exemplary Malaysian, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the country’s fifth prime minister.

Fondly known as Pak Lah, he was a leader of quiet strength, a man of principle, and a true patriot who steered Malaysia with wisdom and compassion.

He, however, also had a share of being hounded by fellow politicians, all because he wanted to bring much-needed reform to the country.

Reforming Malaysia is not easy, as there are forces at work opposing any change in the status quo.

We see a similar situation being played out now as the unity government tries hard to bring the much-needed change.

Born in Bayan Lepas, Penang, on Nov 26, 1939, Abdullah’s journey in public service spanned decades, marked by his unwavering commitment to good governance, moderation, and national unity.

He was prime minister from 2003 to 2009. His leadership was defined by his sincerity, approachability, and a deep respect for democratic values.

I have listened to Pak Lah a few times talking about how he wanted to raise the country’s level of scientific excellence.

I once, by chance, met him on a Malaysia Airlines flight to Cairo. He was the deputy prime minister then. I was on the way to Cairo for a promotional seminar on palm oil.

During the brief stopover in Beirut, we both stayed on board. We spoke and he told me that as the deputy PM, he was always given a book to read by then PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He showed me how the key sentences in the book were underlined for him.

And he said he truly valued his boss.

Serving the rakyat

Under his administration, Malaysia saw significant reforms in the judiciary, anti-corruption efforts, and a push for greater transparency.

His gentle demeanour belied a firm resolve to uphold justice and fairness, earning him the respect of both allies and adversaries.

Abdullah’s passing is a profound loss for Malaysia, but his legacy endures in the institutions he strengthened and the values he upheld.

He reminded us that leadership is not about power, but about service; not about rhetoric, but about action. He placed country above self. His contributions helped shape a better Malaysia.

While his tenure was not without criticism, many consider him among the better prime ministers. One of Abdullah’s most enduring intellectual contributions was his promotion of Islam Hadhari, or “Civilizational Islam.”

It was a moderate, progressive interpretation of Islam that encouraged development, good governance, and scientific and cultural advancement in line with Islamic principles. In a way, it was quite close to the Madani initiative.

This helped position Malaysia as a moderate Muslim-majority nation. It was also a message of tolerance, coexistence, and multiculturalism at a time when the global narrative around Islam was increasingly tense.

Economic growth

Abdullah launched the National Integrity Plan in 2004 and established the Malaysian Institute of Integrity to strengthen public ethics and integrity. He encouraged civil servants and the public sector to embrace good governance and transparency.

Many Malaysians remember his tenure as a time when they could speak more freely and hope for reform. He focused on the economy, especially the agriculture and biotech sectors, to ensure rural development and food security.

Under his leadership, agriculture was rebranded as a modern economic sector, offering better incomes and opportunities for rural communities.

He also oversaw strong economic growth during his early years and continued policies that brought in foreign investment while reducing public debt.

Abdullah placed strong emphasis on education and research and development. He significantly increased funding to universities and R&D, and supported autonomy for public universities.

He envisioned a knowledge-based economy, recognising that Malaysia’s long-term growth needed to be driven by human capital and innovation.

Compared to previous eras, civil liberties expanded under Abdullah. The media landscape was relatively more open. The space for civil society and political discourse widened, and opposition leaders faced less repression than before.

His leadership saw the 2008 general election, where the opposition made unprecedented gains, seen as proof of his commitment to fairer democratic processes, even if it weakened his own coalition.

Calm control

Abdullah was well-respected internationally. His mild and diplomatic style made Malaysia a more approachable and constructive player in Asean and global affairs.

Malaysia’s image abroad as a progressive, multi-ethnic, moderate Muslim country was reinforced under his stewardship.

Unlike many politicians, Abdullah was seen as personally humble, soft-spoken, and uncorrupted. His leadership style was consultative, reflective, and inclusive, earning him quiet respect even among critics.

While Abdullah may not have been the most assertive or politically aggressive leader, many Malaysians remember his tenure as a period of calm, moderation, and decency.

He tried to move Malaysia towards greater openness, ethics in governance, and balanced development.

His legacy lies not just in economic statistics, but in the values of moderation, accountability, and compassion he tried to embody. We need more leaders like him, a true statesman!

AHMAD IBRAHIM is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and an associate fellow at Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.