Widower PM Badawi to Remarry This Week

Malaysia’s widower Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced yesterday he will remarry this week, saying his love for his late wife remains strong – but that he has fallen in love again.

Badawi, 67, told reporters his wedding with Jeanne Abdullah, 53, will be held on Saturday at the prime minister’s official residence. Only close relatives will attend. The wedding comes after Badawi’s wife of 40 years, Endon Mahmood, died of breast cancer on October 20, 2005.

The prime minister said that he has known Jeanne, a “simple and friendly person,” for about 20 years, and that they developed feelings for each other a year ago. “My love for Endon remains as strong as ever, but I have fallen in love with this one,” Badawi said. “Jeanne also loved Endon.”

Jeanne, who used to run the prime minister’s household before and during Endon’s illness, is the ex-wife of Endon’s younger brother. They have been divorced for 15 years.

Badawi said he doesn’t remember when exactly he proposed to Jeanne, but there was “no bending of knees.” Honeymoon plans have not been discussed yet, he said.

Although stunning, the news of his remarriage did not come as a total shock, since Malaysian news websites and blogs had swirled with rumors early this year that Badawi was contemplating wedlock.

“That’s great,” Noh Yusof, a former lawyer, said of the news. “He needs someone to be with him to represent the country as a first lady. I think it’s timely.”

Badawi, liked by Malaysians for his soft-spoken and avuncular personality, captured the hearts of many when he broke down in tears in public during Endon’s funeral. The couple had not been shy to show their love in public, often hugging and kissing each other’s cheeks.

“He loved his wife, but life must go on. Let the man marry,” said Raja Kamariah, 59, a nurse. “It’s good for him. He needs somebody.”

Badawi has two children with Endon – a successful businessman son and a daughter who is married to Khairy Jamalauddin, a Western- educated businessman and rising star in Malaysian politics. Khairy is also a key adviser to the prime minister.

Jeanne has two daughters in their 20s.

“I feel happy and grateful to God because the woman of my choice has the blessings of my children and siblings,” Badawi said. “I believe she can take care of me, be my companion.”

He said all pictures of Endon in the palatial prime minister’s residence will remain. “Nothing will change, because those are eternal memories,” he said.

Agencies

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