Rarely Appears to the Public, Apparently Former Malaysian PM Abdullah Badawi Suffers from Dementia

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Photo: Youtube screenshot Al Jazeera English)

MALAYSIA - Former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is suffering from dementia.

"Mr. Lah has dementia. It is difficult for us to see a decline in his cognitive function," said Malaysian Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin who is also Abdullah Badawi's son-in-law on Twitter, quoted by Antara, Sunday, September 11.

That, according to him, is also the reason why the former PM is no longer seen in public. Khairy calls dementia a very cruel condition because the body is still there but the mind is not.

"Fortunately, we can provide professional care. Many can't do that. It's important for us to invest in social services to support families with loved ones who also need constant care," he said.

Reflecting on the condition of his family, as part of efforts to strengthen community-based services under the Health White Paper, he said the Malaysian Ministry of Health would make stronger efforts to encourage more investment in publicly funded social care so that people who do not have the facility are treated.

In launching the 2022 Malaysian Psychological Health Conference (MCPM) and Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for the management of dementia and schizophrenia, he said mental health was an important national agenda.

According to Khairy, diverse mental health issues require that various health care providers work collaboratively with communities to empower them to maintain mental health and well-being in Malaysia.