Former Malaysian PM Abdullah Badawi dies at 85

Former Malaysian prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who promised reforms after taking over from his iron-fisted predecessor Mahathir Mohamad but was criticised for lacklustre leadership, has died, his family said. Affectionately known as "Pak Lah" or Uncle Lah, Abdullah became prime minister in 2003, succeeding Mahathir, the sharp-tongued authoritarian leader who resigned after 22 years in power.

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