GEORGE TOWN, Sept 13 — The National Archives of Malaysia will organise a commemorative event on Sept 16 to honour the late fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and to mark Malaysia Day celebrations.
Its 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) will take place in Bertam, Kepala Batas, featuring a range of activities.
She described Tun Abdullah, affectionately known as “Pak Lah,” as a statesman whose leadership was driven by the principles of unity, education, and compassion.
“The programme aims to foster moral, social, and community values by reflecting on Tun Abdullah’s character and leadership style in human capital development.
“It also seeks to record and preserve accounts of Tun Abdullah’s contributions to the nation through the policies and initiatives of his administration, as a reference and for research,” she told Bernama recently.
Hanizah said the Mengenang Negarawan programme, the National Archives signature initiative since 2022 to celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of national leaders, is part of the 2025 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations (HKHM 2025).
She said the event, set to begin at 9 am, will feature two main sessions, including a discussion with notable speakers such as Bertam state assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia deputy chairman, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohd Yusof Othman.
The next session will be “Kisah Ayahanda Saya” (My Father’s Story) presented by Pak Lah’s daughter, Nori Abdullah.
“…the programme will also feature an exhibition highlighting Tun Abdullah’s life, political journey, and contributions, with display posters, personal artefacts, and memorabilia preserved by the National Archives,” she added.
On the role of the National Archives, she said the agency under the National Unity Ministry will continue to preserve Tun Abdullah’s documents, speeches, policies, and legacy, keeping his contributions alive in the nation’s history and in the hearts of the people.
Hanizah added that this will be achieved through initiatives such as oral history programmes, travelling exhibitions, documentary publications, and the digitisation of archival materials, ensuring Tun Abdullah’s legacy of leadership, vision, and unity is passed on to future generations.
Materials at the National Archives are available to researchers and the public, either in person at the research halls at the headquarters or state offices, or online through the 24/7 Online Finding Aid (OFA) system, accessible anytime and anywhere.
Besides preserving archival materials, the National Archives is also responsible for maintaining and restoring the birthplaces, buildings, and collections linked to national leaders.
Tun 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 Kepala Batas MP from 1978 to 2013 and as Malaysia’s Prime Minister from Oct 31, 2003, to April 3, 2009, following Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation.
Malaysia Day 2025, themed “Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni”, will take place on Sept 16 at the PICCA Convention Centre@Arena Butterworth, with a variety of exciting activities planned.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to officiate the celebrations at 8.30 pm, which will be attended by Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. — Bernama
