Mahathir was wearing a black baju Melayu and accompanied by his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, and son, Mukhriz.

They arrived at the National Mosque at about 11am.

Mahathir spent about 10 minutes paying his respects to Abdullah, popularly known as Pak Lah, before leaving, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Abdullah took office as prime minister in 2003 after Mahathir ended his 22-year tenure in the top post, sparking a marked shift away from some of his predecessor’s policies.

Mahathir later became one of his successor’s fiercest detractors, which Abdullah said was due to Mahathir’s inability to accept any vision for the country beyond what he had mapped out before his retirement.

After Barisan Nasional lost its two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat for the first time at the 2008 general election, Mahathir accused Abdullah of weaknesses and alleged wrongdoings.

Under mounting pressure from within his party, Abdullah stepped down as prime minister on April 1, 2009, handing over leadership of the party and government to Najib Razak.

Najib was also at the National Mosque to pay his last respects to Abdullah, whom he described yesterday as a father figure, mentor, and friend.