National Archives To Honour Abdullah Ahmad Badawi On Malaysia Day

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The National Archives of Malaysia will hold a commemorative event on Sept 16 to honour the late fifth prime minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, alongside Malaysia Day celebrations. - BERNAMA picGEORGE TOWN: The National Archives of Malaysia will hold a commemorative event on Sept 16 to honour the late fifth prime minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, alongside Malaysia Day celebrations.
Statesmen Archives Division director Hanizah Jonoh said the programme, Mengenang Negarawan Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi: Bapa Pembangunan Modal Insan (Remembering Statesman Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi: Father of Human Capital Development), would take place in Bertam, Kepala Batas, featuring a series of activities.
She described Abdullah, fondly known as "Pak Lah", as a leader guided by the principles of unity, education, and compassion.
"The programme aims to nurture moral, social, and community values by reflecting on Tun Abdullah's character and his leadership in human capital development.
"It also seeks to document and preserve accounts of his contributions to the nation through the policies and initiatives introduced under his administration, serving as a reference for research and the public," she told Bernama recently.
Hanizah said the Mengenang Negarawan series, the National Archives' signature initiative since 2022 to celebrate the contributions of national leaders, forms part of the 2025 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations (HKHM 2025).
The event, scheduled to begin at 9am, will feature two main sessions: a discussion with panellists including Bertam assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia deputy chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohd Yusof Othman; followed by Kisah Ayahanda Saya (My Father's Story), presented by Pak Lah's daughter, Nori Abdullah.
An exhibition will also highlight Abdullah's life, political career, and contributions, featuring posters, personal artefacts, and memorabilia preserved by the National Archives.
Hanizah said that the agency, under the National Unity Ministry, would continue safeguarding Abdullah's documents, speeches, policies, and legacy through oral history projects, travelling exhibitions, documentary publications, and the digitisation of archival materials — ensuring his leadership, vision, and values are passed on to future generations.
Archival materials are available to researchers and the public in person at the National Archives headquarters and state offices, or online at any time through the 24/7 Online Finding Aid (OFA) system.
Beyond records, the National Archives is also tasked with maintaining and restoring the birthplaces, buildings, and collections linked to national leaders.
Abdullah died at the age of 85 at the National Heart Institute (IJN) on April 14.
Born on Nov 26, 1939 in Bayan Lepas, Penang, he served as the member of parliament for Kepala Batas from 1978 to 2013, and as Malaysia's prime minister from Oct 31, 2003 to April 3, 2009, succeeding Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Malaysia Day 2025, themed Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni, will be held on Sept 16 at the PICCA Convention Centre@Arena Butterworth. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the celebrations at 8.30pm, with Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg expected to attend. - NST

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