A True Friend and a Man of Unwavering Integrity
Former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has paid a heartfelt tribute to Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, calling him "a true friend and a man of unwavering integrity" following his passing on Monday.
A Sincere and Principled Leader
Susilo, who served from 2004 to 2014, recalled Abdullah, who was fondly known as "Pak Lah", as a sincere and principled leader, committed to strengthening ties between Indonesia and Malaysia.
A Shared Purpose
Whenever issues arose between their countries, Susilo and Abdullah stood united in seeking the best solutions. The sixth Indonesian president, often referred to as SBY, reflected on their close working relationship, marked by trust and open communication.
"We spoke often, at any time of the day or night, wherever we were. There were no political or psychological barriers between us," Susilo said.
A Joint Initiative
One significant memory, Susilo recalled, was Abdullah’s 2006 visit to Jakarta, where the two discussed the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Lebanon. The meeting sparked their joint initiative to convene an emergency summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Kuala Lumpur, which Malaysia chaired at the time.
"The summit paved the way for the deployment of an Indonesian mechanised battalion as part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon," Susilo said.
A Bilateral Meeting
He also highlighted a bilateral meeting in Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra, which was unusual for not being held in Jakarta, where the two leaders agreed on several key cooperation agendas. Amid the packed schedule, they even made time to exercise together and greet locals in Padang Pariaman.
A Shared Purpose
Susilo said their time in office was filled with a shared purpose, noting that Abdullah, like himself, always aimed to be part of the solution and worked towards a better future.
"Farewell, Pak Lah. May Allah SWT welcome him into His mercy and eternal peace. Aamin," Susilo said.
State Funeral Honours
Abdullah was laid to rest with full state funeral honours at the Heroes’ Mausoleum near the National Mosque in the capital at 2:30 pm local time on Tuesday.
Conclusion
Susilo’s tribute serves as a testament to the strong friendship and working relationship he shared with Abdullah, a true leader who left a lasting impact on the region.
FAQs
Q: What was the nature of the relationship between Susilo and Abdullah?
A: The two leaders enjoyed a close and trusting relationship, marked by open communication and a shared purpose.
Q: What was the outcome of the 2006 meeting between Susilo and Abdullah in Jakarta?
A: The meeting led to a joint initiative to convene an emergency summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Kuala Lumpur, which Malaysia chaired at the time.
Q: What was the significance of the bilateral meeting in Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra?
A: The meeting was unusual for not being held in Jakarta, and the two leaders agreed on several key cooperation agendas, including exercising together and greeting locals.