Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has named former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Malaysia's representative to the ceremonial funeral of former British prime minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher, on Wednesday.

In a statement here today, Wisma Putra said Dr Mahathir would be accompanied by wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, as both were invited by the British Government to the funeral at St Paul's Cathedral in London, United Kingdom.

They will join a host of other internationally-renowned personalities, including former world leaders, to pay their last respects to the United Kingdoms first woman prime minister, who helmed the top post from 1979 to 1990, it said.

Dr Mahathir, when he served as prime minister, enjoyed a close friendship with Thatcher, and bilateral relations between Malaysia and the United Kingdom also strengthened during their time.