Bidding farewell to a Statesman.

A true gentleman. Malaysia’s 5th Prime Minister. Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Pak Lah. And his late wife Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, Kak Endon - who tragically died to cancer just as he ascended to the highest elected post in the land - made a gracious stylish pair. She was a great patron of the arts and of fashion. And through her and daughter Nori Abdullah, Pak Lah also supported the arts. It really felt that the arts mattered then. Specifically I’ll always be grateful for Kak Endon becoming patron of M! The Opera that I Co-Produced for composer Saidah Rastam and Playwright Jit Murad in 2006. I had the privilege of taking the then PM onto the stage at the Gala Night performance and introducing him to the cast and crew in Istana Budaya, our National Theatre. Deepest condolences to Tun Jeanne, Nori & Khairy and Kamal - who I first met as he went up to Cambridge - just as I went down to do the Bar in London.