Thursday, October 20, 2005

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Endon Mahmood died at 7.55 am Thursday at Sri Perdana, the Prime Minister's official residence in Putrajaya after fighting a long battle with cancer.

News of her death was conveyed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Bernama chairman Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini.

Endon, 64, breathed her last about 18 days after returning from undergoing a treatment for breast cancer in Los Angeles, United States. She is survived by two children.

The Prime Minister's Office announced that members of the public can pay their last respects at Seri Perdana from 11 am through the main gate of the official residence. Her remains will be brought to the Putrajaya Mosque for funeral prayers during Asar, before being laid to rest at the Muslim burial grounds at Precinct 20, Putrajaya. Abdullah and her son Kamaluddin and his daughter Nori, daughter and son in laws, Azrene Abdullah and Khairy Jamaluddin respectively, the premier's four grandchildren who are Kamaluddin's children, were by Endon's side before she breathed her last.

Endon's mother Datin Mariam Abdullah was also present.

As a mark of respect, Several Cabinet Ministers including Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Information Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir cancelled all their official functions. Among others, the official launch of the national jersey for the SEA Games, scheduled to be officiated by the deputy premier, had been called off.

News of Endon's sudden death at the break of dawn shocked the nation, with Malaysians from all walks of life mourning the loss of the premier's wife. Reflecting the atmosphere of grief and sorrow, the weather in the Klang Valley also greeted the day with gloom. Radio and television stations switched to low gear by playing songs which depict the sombre mood and verses from the holy Quran. Muslim radio deejays also called on listeners to offer the Al-Fatihah verse to Endon.

News of Endon's death during the holy month of Ramadan, were immediately channelled through Bernama's Short Messaging Service (SMS).

VIPs and foreign dignitaries started to pay their last respects at Sri Perdana at 9.30 am. Among the earliest to arrive, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar was seen busy managing the situation.

Hundreds of people had also started to trickle in to pay their last respects to Endon.


* Dipetik dari Bernama

p/s: kepada sesiapa yang ingin mengucapkan takziah sila lawati laman web ini http://www.pmo.gov.my/doc/takziah.nsf/blog?OpenForm