TUN ABDULLAH, AN AMIABLE LEADER WHO TAKES A NON-AGGRESSIVE APPROACH - SYED HAMID:

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Former Foreign Minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar described former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as not only an employer but also a good friend.

He said his relationship with the fifth Prime Minister was close throughout his responsibilities as Foreign Minister.

"I have always been with him not only as Foreign Minister but as a friend and I have seen foreign leaders being friendly with him because of his non-aggressive manner and approach, people say he is like a saint," he said when met by the media in front of the former Prime Minister's residence here today.

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Among the distinguished guests present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad as well as Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa.

In addition, Syed Hamid described the passing of Abdullah or better known as Pak Lah as a great loss to the country because the deceased was a leader who was friendly with the people and brought about change throughout his administration.

(I) think we lost a statesman, a leader who was dedicated enough to his humble duty that led to Islam Hadari. (May) the deceased be placed among the faithful," he said.

Earlier, Abdullah's body was taken out from his residence in Bait Abdullah here to the National Mosque at 8.10 am this morning to be shrouded and prayed.

The former Prime Minister will then be buried according to the National Funeral Ceremony at the Heroes' Cemetery, National Mosque.

Abdullah, 85, breathed his last at the National Heart Institute (IJN) at 7.10 pm last night.

IJN in a statement announced that Abdullah was admitted to the hospital on Sunday morning after experiencing breathing difficulty.

-- BERNAMA