Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is a former Malaysian prime minister who held office from 2003 until 2009. Abdullah succeeded Mahathir Mohamad as Malaysia’s prime minister in 2003, having been appointed as Anwar Ibrahim’s replacement as deputy prime minister in 1999. He was also the president of the largest political party in Malaysia, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Born into a prominent religious family with political leanings, he served on the National Operation Council in 1969-1970, which wielded executive authority under a nationwide state of emergency. He eventually transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports before being elected to represent the Kepala Batas constituency in 1978. Under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, he held various key positions, including that of minister of foreign affairs. In 2003, Abdullah became the Prime Minister, a position in which he proved to be highly popular. He was affectionately regarded by his compatriots as Pak Lah or Uncle Abdullah for his attempts to implement constructive reforms throughout the nation. King Mizan Zainal Abidin bestowed upon him the title “Tun” upon his departure from office in 2009 in recognition of his contribution to the nation.
Youth and Early Life
Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi was born in Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia on 26 November 1939 to a renowned religious family with political leanings. While his grandpa Syeikh Abdullah was a revered religious leader and nationalist, his father Ahmad Badawi was a notable religious figure and UMNO member.
Prior to enrolling at the MBS (Methodist Boy’s School) Penang, Badawi attended Bukit Mertajam High School. In 1964, he graduated from the University of Malaya with a Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies.
Abdullah Badawi’s Career
After completing his education, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi joined the Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Corps, where he served as Director of Youth at the Ministry of Youth and Sport and secretary of the National Operations Council (MAGELLAN).
In 1969-1970, during a nationwide state of emergency, he sat on the National Operation Council, which wielded executive authority. He joined the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports in 1971.
As his political ambitions grew, he resigned from the civil service in 1978 in order to engage in active politics. In the same year, he was appointed to his first administrative position at the Federal Territory Ministry. Also in 1978, he was elected to represent the northern Seberang Perai constituency of Kepala Batas.
In 1988, then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad appointed Badawi vice president of the newly formed United Malays National Organisation (UMNO.)
He remained Vice President until 1990, following which he was nominated to the role of Foreign Minister in the Cabinet, which he held until 1999.
In 1993, he lost his position as Vice President but remained in the Cabinet as Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the years that followed, he also served as Minister of Education and Minister of Defense in the prime minister’s office.
Badawi was elected as Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister (1999-2003) and Minister of Home Affairs upon completion of his probation and the dismissal of Anwar Ibrahim. During the same time, he also served as president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
In 2003, Mahathir resigned as prime minister, and Abdullah, his designated successor, assumed his position. On October 31, 2003, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
During his time as prime minister, Badawi was determined to eradicate corruption. Even further, he prophesied an interpretation of Islam known as Islam Hadhari, in which he promoted Islam’s compatibility with economic and scientific progress.
Badawi also emphasized internal security in opposition to corrupt practices. Moreover, he placed great emphasis on foreign policy formulation. People in the country commonly referred to Badawi as “Pak Lah” (a Malay diminutive for Uncle Abdullah) because of his activities.
He retained the vital finance portfolio under which he presented his first budget in 2004, which was mostly focused on maintenance, in stark contrast to the growth-oriented policies stressed by his predecessor, Mahathir.
Since the beginning of his presidency in 2003, Abdullah Badawi has served as the chairman of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. He has been deeply involved in the formulation of foreign policy. He was also the ASEAN’s chairman. In addition to these positions, he led the Non-Aligned Movement from October 2003 to September 2006.
Under Badawi’s administration, Malaysia and Japan concluded a free trade agreement that allowed the elimination of tariffs on virtually all industrial commodities and the majority of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products.
By winning the 12th General Election in March 2008, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was re-elected to a second term as prime minister. However, he garnered a decreased majority this time. On March 10, 2008, he was sworn in for a second term as prime minister.
However, his second tenure was not popular. In 2009, he resigned as president and prime minister of UMNO due to political animosity from both the opposition and his own party.
His Major Opera
During his tenure as prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was highly involved in the formulation of foreign policy and the creation of value chains. He was a staunch proponent of the theory that foreign investment, government contracts, and privatization generate prosperity. Under his leadership, Malaysia and Japan came into a landmark free trade deal that enabled both nations to engage in mutually lucrative international trade.
Awards & Achievements
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was recognized with the Darjah Johan Negeri in 1979 and the Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri in 1981.
He is also the recipient of a number of international accolades, including the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (1991, Japan), the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (1994, Chile), and the First Class of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (Thailand, 1994).
He was appointed Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm in 2009.
Personal History and Legacy
In 1965, Abdullah Ahamad Badawi married Endon Mahmood. In 2005, Mahmood died from breast cancer.
Two years later, Badawi married Jeanne Abdullah once more.
This was their second marriage; Jeanne had previously been married to Badawi’s first wife’s younger brother. His second marriage has produced two step-children.
Estimated Net Worth
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is one of the wealthiest and most prominent diplomats. According to our research, Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.