Dr. Siti Hasmah, the wife of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, passed away on Monday at the age of 100, prompting national mourning and a designated state funeral.
State Funeral and National Mourning in Putrajaya
The Malaysian government has scheduled a state funeral for Siti Hasmah at the Makam Pahlawan state mausoleum, located at the Precinct 20 Muslim Cemetery in Putrajaya. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim instructed the state funeral arrangements, honoring her status as a revered national figure.
According to the Prime Minister’s Department, her remains were transported to her residence in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, before being moved to the As-Syarif Mosque in Taman Sungai Besi Indah. Funeral prayers took place following the Asr prayers, allowing members of the public to pay their final respects prior to the 4:30 p.m. burial service. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim publicly praised her lifelong dedication to the public, noting that Malaysia deeply values her legacy of public service and compassion for the welfare of citizens.
Medical Career and Public Health Advocacy
Born on July 12, 1926, in Klang, Selangor, Siti Hasmah broke professional barriers as one of the first Malay female doctors in the country. She completed her medical training at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore, graduating in 1955.
Following her graduation, she joined the Malaysian Ministry of Health, serving as a medical officer across multiple regions, including Kedah. Her professional work centered primarily on public health, maternal care, and child health services. Alongside her medical career, she assumed leadership roles in numerous social organizations, including the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia, and campaigned extensively for family welfare, women’s empowerment, and drug abuse prevention.
Family and Public Life
Siti Hasmah married Mahathir Mohamad in 1956. The couple raised seven children, including social activist and writer Marina Mahathir and former Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir.
Throughout Mahathir Mohamad’s tenures as Prime Minister from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020, Siti Hasmah maintained an active presence in public life, supporting initiatives focused on women’s health and social welfare. She remained a prominent public figure alongside her husband following his retirement from active politics.
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