Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, laid an important foundation by asserting that national development should not be measured solely by skyscrapers or highways, but by the growth of the people’s minds and values. Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Legacy Organisation chairman, Datuk Jefridin Atan, said the late leader’s contributions to human capital development are a legacy that must be recognised and continued.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jefridin highlighted that Tun Abdullah often stressed the need for citizens who are literate, thoughtful, technologically aware, and compassionate. He believed that it was not just about obtaining academic qualifications, but about how knowledge is applied for societal well-being and national advancement. The positive impact of his focus on human capital is evident today, as a culture of learning and lifelong education has become widespread, and his emphasis on integrity has raised awareness of good governance in both public and private sectors.
Jefridin delivered these remarks at the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi: Menelusuri Denai Kepimpinan Berjiwa Terbilang seminar, organised by the Institute of Islam Hadhari, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). He noted that understanding Tun Abdullah’s emphasis on human capital development requires considering the national context in the early 2000s when he became Prime Minister in October 2003. At that time, Malaysia was recovering from the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis and facing global economic competition, particularly from China and India.
Jefridin explained that the global economy was shifting towards a knowledge-based model, and Tun Abdullah recognised that Malaysia could no longer rely solely on low labour costs or natural resources. Instead, the country’s competitiveness had to be built on knowledge, creativity, and innovation, achievable only through quality human capital development. Among the key initiatives introduced to realise this vision were the Islam Hadhari approach, reforms in education, economic corridor development, and public sector improvements.
Tun Abdullah, fondly known as Pak Lah, passed away at the National Heart Institute on April 14 and was laid to rest with full state funeral honours at the Heroes Mausoleum near the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, UKM’s deputy vice-chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Datuk Dr Wan Kamal Mujani, acknowledged Tun Abdullah’s significant contributions to the university. One of the most meaningful was the establishment of the Institute of Islam Hadhari, inspired by his vision to promote a progressive Islamic approach rooted in maqasid syariah and aligned with Malaysia’s diverse society. Tun Abdullah also showed a commitment to higher education by strengthening the knowledge ecosystem, upholding academic integrity, and fostering interfaith and civilisational dialogue.
The one-day seminar provided a platform for academic discourse on Tun Abdullah’s leadership, grounded in integrity and Islamic values through the Islam Hadhari concept. It also aimed to promote historical awareness and deepen public understanding of the human capital development championed by Tun Abdullah.