GEORGE TOWN: Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Tun Jeanne Abdullah today paid their last respects to Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng, the wife of former Penang chief minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.
Chui died on Sunday after a long battle with cancer.
The couple flew in from Kuala Lumpur and arrived at the Cascadia Apartments in Halaman Cantonment, Pulau Tikus here at 5.30pm.
Koh and Abdullah embraced each other as soon as the former premier alighted from his car.
Abdullah and Jeanne spent an hour with Koh and his family members.
The duo wrote in an obituary book "May you (Chui) rest in peace. You're a good friend; we will pray for your soul."
Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said he and Koh's friendship went back a long way, since 1982 when the former prime minister was the then Education Minister.
"Chui's demise is a big loss, we are truly sad," Abdullah said.
Abdullah said he and Koh's family enjoyed a strong relationship that would later continue to their children.
Chui, 65, died at the Gleneagles Medical Centre here at 1.15am, surrounded by close family members.
According to a statement released by the family, Chui died of complications after a 13-year battle with lung cancer, having undergone surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, remissions and relapses.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong are expected to visit Koh later.