by Yong Soo Heong
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister, served from 2003 to 2009, is often admired for his humble and soft-spoken nature.
He was a gentleman politician right to the end – never interfering with the administration or politics of the land after his time was over.
His tenure brought a notably different style of leadership—marked by a gentler demeanour and a more consultative approach.
Known affectionately as “Pak Lah”, the former prime minister who had hailed from Kepala Batas, was also known to understand some basic Hokkien, the dominant Chinese dialect in Penang. However, he had ancestral ties to Hainan, in southern China. His lineage traces back to the Hainanese community, which has a rich history of migration and cultural integration in Southeast Asia, a connection that reflects the broader story of the Hainanese diaspora, known for their entrepreneurial spirit and contributions to the region’s development.
One of his most prominent ideological contributions was Islam Hadhari (Civilisational Islam) by promoting a progressive form of Islam that emphasised development, knowledge, good governance, and economic well-being. It aimed to reconcile modernity with Islamic values.
Pak Lah pushed for moderation and tolerance, aligning Malaysia with a more centrist and inclusive Islamic identity during a time when extremism was gaining ground globally.
He made initial bold steps in addressing corruption, promising transparency and better governance. Institutions like the then Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) were given greater prominence early in his tenure, though some critics felt later efforts lacked follow-through as there was strong push back from certain quarters with vested interests on his liberal reforms.
Pak Lah also advocated for the development of the agricultural sector, focusing on rural economies and uplifting lower-income communities and championed education reform, including an emphasis on improving English-language proficiency and upgrading the civil service. He encouraged the civil service to be more responsive and efficient, seeing it as a key tool for delivering on reform and development.
In short, Pak Lah is remembered for being a thoughtful leader who emphasised moderation, integrity, and a kinder style of governance, even if his tenure was sometimes seen as lacking assertiveness in implementing reforms. His legacy is a blend of hopeful reform, economic initiatives, and the challenges of navigating entrenched political dynamics.
WE