condolences to the late Tun Ghafar's family. Our sadness and sympathies go to his family members," he said. Abdullah said Ghafar had always shown his maturity and gave a balanced view of sensitive issues related to religion, race and culture. "The late Tun Ghafar is one of the national leaders who accepted the reality and the racial composition of the country, which comprises various religions, races, culture and languages, and was always the KUALA LUMPUR: Prime stabiliser, including in resolving Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah sensitive issues involving other Ahmad Badawi says Malaysia ethnic groups. has lost a statesman and a "In fact, when MCA was faced national hero in former Deputy with a leadership crisis in 1985, Prime Minister Tun Abdul the late Tun Ghafar, despite being Ghafar Baba. a non-Chinese, was accepted to "Ghafar's immense well as difficult times. this honorable Dewan (Rakyat) lead the party (MCA) during the contributions and good deeds Abdullah said Ghafar's loyalty for 35 years. transitional period," he said. were invaluable to the was towards his struggle for the "The Dewan extends its Abdullah said among the community and there is no people, and he had always been highest appreciation to the late Malay community, Ghafar was substitute for a leader like him," consistent in serving the country, Tun Ghafar's contributions, good known as the voice of the Malays he said when tabling a motion of whether he was holding a deeds, service and devotion for and as their spokesman as he condolences to Ghafar's family position in the government and the nation and the people," he was always sensitive to the needs members in the Dewan Rakyat party, or as an ordinary member said. of the people, especially the yesterday. without a post The prime minister said the average and the poor. Ghafar, 81, died of heart, lung "Ghafar continued to give his country and the people were also "The late Tun Ghafar, and kidney complications in the support and was loyal to the grateful to Ghafar's family for throughout his entire life, was a Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre party and the government, and their sacrifices in allowing source of light for the Malays. He on Jalan Ampang at 7.34am on was ready to give his views and Ghafar to dedicate the greater was born into a poor family but Sunday. advice when needed. part of his life to serve the nation poverty did not prevent him from Abdullah said Ghafar was a "The nation and the people and the people. achieving success," Abdullah statesman and a patriot who have lost a statesman by the "On behalf of the government said. spent most of his time serving name of Abdul Ghafar bin Baba and the people of Malaysia, I am "In fact, poverty was the the people and nation, in good as who had served as a member of extending my deepest source of his strength ..." .