From Reformasi to reconciliation? Azmin and Anwar break the ice at Pak Lah's funeral
Azmin said Tun Abdullah was a man of integrity, humility and calmness, and a statesman highly respected by all levels of society.
SHAH ALAM – While Malaysia mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his death has unexpectedly fostered what appears to be reconciliation among political figures.
This was acknowledged by Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who had the chance to meet and shake hands with his former boss, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while paying his last respects to Abdullah at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
“Before the Zohor prayer, I shook hands with the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"It had been a long time since we last met. We were brought together that day at the National Mosque in the month of Syawal. May Allah SWT bless us all,” he said in a statement on Facebook after paying his final respects to Abdullah, who was fondly known as Pak Lah.
For the record, Azmin was Anwar’s right-hand man and one of the key founders and driving forces of the PKR since the Reformasi movement began in 1998 until 2020.
However, he later decided to resign as deputy president and subsequently left the party with nine other PKR MPs, including vice president Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, on Jan 10, 2020.
The incident, which occurred prior to the Sheraton Move, led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government led by then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Feb 24, 2020.
Following the Sheraton Move, relations between Azmin and Anwar grew increasingly strained, resulting in rare encounters and little communication between them.
Azmin said he, along with Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin attended the ceremony at the National Mosque to pay their final respects to Abdullah, whom he described as a distinguished statesman.
“We arrived at 12.15pm, accompanied by several senior Bersatu leaders including the two vice presidents, Datuk Radzi Jidin and Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, as well as several Selangor State Assembly members.
“Tan Sri Muhyiddin and his wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, were welcomed by Tan Sri Kamaluddin and Khairy Jamaluddin. We also extended our condolences to Tun Jeanne Abdullah and the late Abdullah’s family, including Nori,” he said.
Azmin said Abdullah was a man of integrity, humility and calmness, and a statesman highly respected by all levels of society.
“The contributions and services of Abdullah were immense in the development of the people and the nation, rooted in noble values and strong principles. Malaysia had lost a gem and a great-hearted leader.
“Let us pray that the late Abdullah is granted a good ending and that his soul is placed in the paradise full of Allah's blessings,” he said.
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