KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has described the late Nelson Mandela as a leader who left more than a name.
He said the former South African president and anti-apartheid icon had left behind a country that emerged from the darkness of apartheid to become a shining symbol of democracy and reconciliation.
In his latest posting on his blog, www.1malaysia.com, Najib said the 95-year-old leader, fondly known as Madiba, had passed away leaving South Africa and the world with an inspiring legacy born of hardship and fortitude.
“The popular Malay saying comes to mind: Harimau mati tinggalkan belang, manusia mati tinggalkan nama. Mandela left more than a name.
“For months, the world prepared itself for this sad news. Yet when it came, the sorrow and loss were no less felt,” Najib said.
The prime minister said he had always looked up to Mandela as a leader among leaders, and the icon’s biography ‘A Long Walk to Freedom’ remained a great source of inspiration to him.
“The future generations may not fully understand the extent of Mandela’s contributions to the world but our efforts today and tomorrow will keep alive the spirit of democracy that Mandela upheld,” he added.
Nelson Mandela died peacefully at his Johannesburg home at the age of 95 yesterday after months fighting a lung infection.
The world today mourns the loss of one of history’s most transformational leaders, by remembering Mandela’s lessons and continuing his efforts to spread democracy, freedom and equality across the globe. — Bernama
