Prime Minister’s mother laid to rest

Datuk Khailan Hassan was laid to rest at the Masjid Jamiul Badawi cemetery here today. The mother of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi passed away yesterday at the age of 78.

Pall-bearers comprising close family members, relatives and well-wishers took turns to carry Khailan's coffin to the mosque, 300m from their home in Jalan Perak.

Among them were her sons Datuk Ibrahim, 58, and Mohd Tahir, 50, and her grandson Kamaludin, who is the Prime Minister's son. Also seen in the procession was Khailan's only daughter, Aminah, 62.

Abdullah's wife, Datuk Seri Endon Mahmood, could not be present as she is undergoing medical treatment in the United States.

More than 10,000 visitors steadily streamed through the house from the time the news was announced last night.

Although the day started with a slight drizzle, it soon turned balmy. The steady flow of visitors continued until the funeral ended at 5pm.

Leading the list of visitors today were Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Fauziah.

Others included Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Datuk Rosmah Mansor, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and Cabinet members including Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcob, Information Minister Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob, Primary Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Agriculture Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Science, Environment and Technology Min-ister Datuk Seri Law Hieng Ding, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Rais Yatim, Parti Bersatu Sabah president Datuk Seri Pairin Kitingan and Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein.

Also present were Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali and Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Wira Mohamad Ali Rustam.

Others included Parti Keadilan Nasional president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and State Opposition Leader Abdul Rahman Abdul Kadir.

From the media, New Straits Times group editor Datuk Ahmad A. Talib, his Berita Harian counterpart Hishamuddin Aun, Utusan Malaysia group editor Datuk Khalid Mohamad and Bernama editor-in-chief Jaafar Hussin attended.

Earlier, Khailan's body was ritually bathed and placed in the upper main hall of the twostorey home while a large group comprising family members, relatives and friends took turns to recite prayers.

At 3.10pm, the cortege took a short journey to the cemetery with mourners lining the street.

At the mosque, about 1,000 people, including Abdullah, performed the final prayers led by Jamiul Badawi Mosque imam Datuk Abdul Rahim Abu Bakar.

Abdullah then led family members to sprinkle flower petals and scented water over his mother's grave.

Later, Tahir made a short speech on behalf of his family, thanking the congregation and well-wishers for their support and help in their time of bereavement.

Later in the night, the family held tahlil prayers.

NST, Wednesday, 4/2/2004