Kuala Lumpur: Foreign envoys in Malaysia have extended their condolences and they joined Malaysians in mourning the passing of former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, honouring his legacy as a statesman.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, among those who paid their last respects were Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata and Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi. The state funeral was held at the Heroes’ Mausoleum near the National Mosque at 2.30 pm on Tuesday. Abdullah, Malaysia’s fifth prime minister, passed away at the age of 85 at the National Heart Institute on Monday at 7.10 pm.

In a post on its official Instagram account, the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur expressed its condolences with an image of the national flag flying at half-mast, stating: ‘It is with profound sadness that we have learnt of the demise of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, former prime minister of Malaysia. Our deepest and sincerest condolences to his family and the people of Malaysia.’

Similarly, the Embassy of Iran in Malaysia posted on X about attending the funeral ceremony of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Negara Mosque, sharing an image of its ambassador paying his last respects.

The British High Commission in Malaysia also paid tribute, posting a black-and-white image of the late leader with the message: ‘Our deepest condolences on the passing of former PM Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his friends and the people of Malaysia during this difficult time. Al-Fatihah.’

In addition, the South African High Commission in Malaysia shared via Instagram that its Charg© d’Affaires Jabu Msibi signed the book of condolences. ‘The South African High Commission to Malaysia extends its deepest condolences to the family of Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi and to all Malaysians,’ it stated, accompanied by a video of the signing.

Abdullah served as Malaysia’s fifth prime minister from 2003 to 2009.