Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was a ‘respected leader who helped Asean stand tall in the world’. (EPA Images pic)
PETALING JAYA: Singapore was fortunate to count former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as a friend, says Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
In an Instagram post expressing his condolences over Abdullah’s passing, Wong said Singapore made good progress with Malaysia during Abdullah’s time on bilateral issues.
He singled out the development of Iskandar Malaysia as one of the areas of mutual interest that saw deeper cooperation between the nations.
“This laid the strong foundation for our countries’ excellent ties today.
“During his six years as prime minister, Tun Abdullah made significant contributions to Malaysia’s social and economic development.
“He was a respected leader who helped Asean stand tall in the world.
“My deepest condolences to the people of Malaysia for their loss,” Wong said.
Abdullah passed away at 7.10pm, a day after he was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) after experiencing breathing difficulties.
He is survived by his wife Jeanne Abdullah and two children, Nori and Kamaluddin, from his first wife Endon Mahmood, who died of breast cancer in 2005.
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