Al-Fatihah to Datin Seri Endon

The Prime Minister's wife Datin Seri Endon Mahmood died at 7.55 am today at the Prime Minister's official residence in Putrajaya after fighting a long battle with cancer.

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.

Thousands of Malaysians started paying their last respects at Seri Perdana from 11am through the main gate of the official residence.

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.

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 his son Kamaluddin,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.

Senior government officers including secretaries general and directors general based in Putrajaya also rushed to Seri Perdana to pay their last respects.

Members of the public started converging in Seri Perdana ahead of visiting hours at 11 am. Also present were Minister of Agriculture and AgroBased Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Minister of Higher Education Datuk Dr Mohd Shafie Salleh and former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Musa Hitam.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor were seen arriving at Seri Perdana at about 10.30 am.

Shortly after, the Prime Minister, who appeared in blue Malay traditional dress, was seen receiving visitors who came to pay their last respects at the premier's official residence.

Abdullah, who appeared composed at first, could not hold back his tears when several visitors expressed their heartfelt condolences by lending their shoulders to the bereaved premier. He was later seen having some moments with Najib and Syed Hamid.

According to one of his aides, Abdullah who was by his wife's side, appeared calm when Endon breathed her last. Immediately, the premier began making preparations for her burial.

At the Parliament building, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib announced Endon's death at the start of today's sitting at 10 am before adjourning the meeting to Monday.