Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he was deeply affected by Abdullah’s passing as the latter was a mentor and leader who he respected a lot.
“In my career, Tun (Abdullah) gave me the opportunity to grow and provided a lot of invaluable advice.
“His leadership and his trust in me made me who I am today,” Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, said in a Facebook post.
He added that Abdullah’s passing was a huge loss for the nation.
“He will be remembered as a statesman who always prioritised the people’s interest.”
Separately, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan said the nation lost a remarkable leader who will not be forgotten.
“I personally feel very sad about his passing,” Mohamad said when met by reporters at the National Heart Institute (IJN), where the late leader breathed his last.
Reflecting on Abdullah’s time in office, Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, described him as a true statesman whose leadership was marked by sincerity and a strong sense of duty.
Abdullah, who was Umno’s president from 2003 to 2009, passed away at 7.10pm, a day after he was admitted to IJN after experiencing breathing difficulties.
He is survived by his wife Jeanne Abdullah and two children, Nori and Kamaluddin, from his first wife Endon Mahmood, who died of breast cancer in 2005.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan also conveyed his party’s condolences over Abdullah’s death, saying he would be remembered as a “masterful, honest and courteous leader who served and was respected by the people”.
“May Allah SWT shower blessings and forgiveness upon his spirit and place him in the ranks of the faithful and righteous,” he said in a statement.
Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor said Abdullah was a leader who had done much to serve the country, particularly thanking him for launching the Sabah Development Corridor in 2008.
“Tun Abdullah, who led the nation for six years, was a leader with a heart for the people. He was friendly and loved by all,” he said in a statement.
Penang DAP chairman Steven Sim expressed his condolences to Abdullah’s family, calling the eight-term Kepala Batas MP a “child of Penang”.
“Pak Lah will be remembered as a prime minister who brought stability and emphasised moderation in national politics. His passing is a loss for the nation and all Malaysians,” said Sim, who is also the human resources minister.