Mahathir mourns wife Siti Hasmah after her funeral in Malaysia

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has been mourning the death of his wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, after her burial on Monday. Siti Hasmah died at about 9.25am at the National Heart Institute, according to the South China Morning Post. Her son Mokhzani said she had been in good spirits the previous evening before her condition suddenly worsened.

Another son, Mukhriz, said Mahathir had remained beside her until her final moments. Mahathir, 101, was seen weeping during the funeral, where he was overheard telling Sultan Abdullah of Pahang that he had not expected her to die that day. Their daughter Marina Mahathir said her father was in good health but was grieving the loss of his lifelong companion.

“She was his partner for 70 years. He feels lonely,” Marina told reporters after placing flowers at her mother’s grave. Family members have been taking turns staying with Mahathir so that he is not left alone.

Marina said the family was still trying to adjust to the loss of a woman who had been central to their lives. Siti Hasmah was a mother of seven, grandmother to 18 and great-grandmother to four. Her youngest great-grandchild, Eden Zakaria, was born only last month.

Eden’s mother, Ally Mukhriz, described Siti Hasmah as a strong and gentle family figure who helped keep the large family close. Ally said Siti Hasmah had visited the family home two weeks before her death to see the baby and had offered advice about his care. She said the family felt privileged to have had her for 100 years.

Marina said her mother had been Mahathir’s pillar of strength and had supported him during his political career. Siti Hasmah returned to public life after Mahathir became prime minister again in 2018, following his retirement in 2003 after 22 years in office. The family thanked members of the public for their condolences.