• Former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi died at age 85 in Kuala Lumpur.
• He served as Malaysia's fifth premier from 2003 to 2009.
• Abdullah was acknowledged for extending political freedoms during his tenure.
• He faced criticism for ineffective leadership and declining popularity.
• His health had deteriorated over the past few years, including a dementia diagnosis.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi passed away on April 14 at the age of 85 in the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur. His son-in-law and former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin confirmed the news via an Instagram post, revealing that Abdullah died at 7:10 PM despite efforts to save him. Abdullah, affectionately known as "Pak Lah," had been admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties and had been diagnosed with spontaneous pneumothorax, a collapsed lung, prior to his death, according to Channel News Asia.

Abdullah became Malaysia's fifth prime minister in 2003 after succeeding the long-reigning Mahathir Mohamad, who led for 22 years. His administration initially gained popularity for promises including greater political freedoms and efforts to combat corruption. However, criticisms soon arose regarding his effectiveness and leadership style, particularly after his coalition suffered significant losses in the 2008 elections, which ultimately pressured him to resign in 2009, according to Reuters.

Under Abdullah's leadership, the National Front coalition achieved a landslide victory in the 2004 general elections, reflecting initial public support for his governance approach. Known for espousing a moderate form of Islam, Abdullah aimed to steer the nation towards economic progress while permitting some political space for dissent. However, his tenure also faced scrutiny due to his later ineffectiveness in fulfilling reform promises, which became increasingly evident amidst growing unrest and protests over issues such as rising fuel prices, reports South China Morning Post.

In response to critiques of his administration, Abdullah led his coalition in a 2008 election that resulted in an unprecedented setback, failing to secure a two-thirds majority for the first time in decades, which was a significant blow to his leadership credibility. His subsequent resignation was influenced by internal party dissent, including a public divorce from Mahathir Mohamad, who had initially supported his ascension to power. The loss of political capital allowed for the rise of opposition figures, such as Anwar Ibrahim, who has now assumed the premiership, according to Los Angeles Times.

Abdullah's health had been deteriorating for years, with his son-in-law revealing in 2022 that he had been diagnosed with dementia, which progressively worsened. This condition severely affected his ability to communicate and recognize family members during his last years, illustrating a stark contrast to his earlier political vigor. He faced substantial challenges throughout his later life, reflecting on a legacy marked by both political achievements and disappointments, according to Los Angeles Times.