Kuala Lumpur: The contributions of Malaysia’s fifth prime minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, towards higher education in the country will never be forgotten, as local universities paid tribute to him. Universiti Malaya (UM) vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman highlighted Abdullah’s legacy, noting his integral role in leadership and development.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abdullah, an alumnus of Universiti Malaya from 1964, exemplified leadership with integrity and was a respected statesman. Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman stated that Abdullah’s service and visionary leadership significantly impacted the nation’s development and the well-being of its people. He emphasized that Abdullah’s achievements mirrored UM’s core values of excellence, leadership, and duty to society, marking UM’s pride in being part of his intellectual journey.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) expressed condolences to Abdullah’s family through a Facebook post, recalling his role in officiating the university’s
main campus on April 18, 2006. UNIMAS acknowledged his efforts in fostering human capital development and the recognition of the halal industry, along with the development of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) under his leadership to boost the state and national economy.

Other universities, including Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), also expressed their sorrow over the passing of the esteemed leader through Facebook, noting his achievements in national administration.

Meanwhile, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) announced on Facebook that it would conduct a funeral prayer in absentia for the former prime minister at the Sayyidina Abu Bakar Mosque following Zohor prayers tomorrow.