KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has expressed his condolences on the passing of Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, describing him as a leader who made significant contributions to the nation and to Sabah.
“Tun Abdullah was a people-centric leader—warm, approachable, and beloved by many. His leadership was marked by humility and a deep commitment to the well-being of all Malaysians,” Hajiji said in a statement.
He highlighted the launch of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) in 2008 under Tun Abdullah’s administration as a transformative initiative for the state. “The SDC aimed to position Sabah as a gateway for commerce, investment, and tourism, creating job opportunities and fostering a technologically advanced, harmonious, and livable state,” he noted. 
Hajiji added that the SDC has played a vital role in Sabah’s development, aligning with Tun Abdullah’s vision of inclusive growth and national unity. 
“Let us pray for his soul and may he be placed among the righteous,” Hajiji concluded.
Tun Abdullah passed away on April 14 at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 85. His tenure as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009 was marked by efforts to promote human capital development and economic progress. -MalayaDailyToday
