KUALA LUMPUR (April 15): The Malaysian government has confirmed a state funeral will be held for former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Masjid Negara in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, with final rites and burial scheduled at the National Heroes Mausoleum or Makam Pahlawan.

All buildings within a 2km radius of Masjid Negara are instructed to fly the national flag, Jalur Gemilang, at half-mast until the state funeral is completed, the Prime Minister’s Department said in a statement.

The ceremony, officially titled “Istiadat Pengebumian Negara”, is a mark of the country’s highest honour for former national leaders.

Male Muslim visitors are advised to wear national attire or baju melayu in black, with a matching black sampin and songkok, while non-Muslim men should wear dark lounge suits. 

Female Muslim visitors are meanwhile recommended to wear dark baju kurung or kebaya with a white scarf, and non-Muslim women should dress modestly in dark colours with a white headscarf.

“Apart from that, other suitable attire can also be worn,” the statement read.

Abdullah’s body will arrive at Masjid Negara at 8am for funeral arrangements, and the public may pay their final respects at the main prayer hall between 11am and 1pm, the statement read. 

The funeral prayer will be held after Zohor prayers at Masjid Negara, followed by the burial at Makam Pahlawan, also located at Masjid Negara.

Abdullah, fondly known as Pak Lah to Malaysians, served as Malaysia’s fifth prime minister from 2003 to 2009, and was also the sixth president of Umno.

He passed away at 7.10pm on Monday at the National Health Institute (IJN) here, after being treated upon experiencing breathing difficulties. He was 85.