KUALA LUMPUR Sept 29, 2026 — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim spoke by phone on Tuesday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who offered personal condolences following two recent deaths in Malaysia’s political families.
Erdoğan expressed sympathy over the passing of Anwar’s elder brother, Idrus Ibrahim, who died in his sleep on 24 September at the age of 83 and was buried the next day in Penang. Anwar said the Turkish leader’s remembrance and prayers were “very meaningful” to the family during a difficult period.
Erdoğan also conveyed condolences to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his family after the death of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali on 28 September. Siti Hasmah, a pioneering doctor and former first lady, died at the National Heart Institute at the age of 100.
The two leaders also exchanged views on several current issues of mutual interest. Anwar posted a photograph of himself in his office during the call, overlaid with Erdoğan’s image and a phone icon.
The conversation came days after Anwar cut short aspects of a China visit to return for his brother’s funeral and shortly after a state funeral was held for Siti Hasmah. The post used Anwar’s MADANI hashtags, framing the exchange as part of ongoing Malaysia–Türkiye diplomatic engagement.
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