Remembering Tun Dr Hasmah: 6 Facts About Malaysia's Former First Lady Who Passed Away Today

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, the wife of Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Dr Tun Mahathir Mohamad, has passed away today (28 September) at the age of 100.

Her death was confirmed by her son, . It is understood that she died at the National Heart Institute (IJN) at approximately 9:25 AM.

She is expected to be laid to rest after Asar prayers at Masjid As Syarif, Taman Sungai Besi Indah, Kuala Lumpur, before being buried at the Presint 20 Muslim Cemetery in Putrajaya.

The late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah was born in 1926 in Kampung Jawa, Klang, and was the sixth of 10 siblings. Her father, Haji Mohd Ali, was a government officer, while her mother, Hajah Siti Khatijah Ahmad, was a homemaker.

Here are six facts about her life and legacy:

1. She met Tun Dr Mahathir while studying medicine in Singapore

Image Credit: Perdana Leadership Foundation (PLF)

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah received her early education at Methodist Girls' School Kuala Lumpur before continuing her studies at St Mary's School and Pudu English School.

After World War II, she pursued a medical degree at King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore on a scholarship. At the time, she was the only Malay woman in her cohort.

It was there that she first met Tun Dr Mahathir, who enrolled at the same institution in the same year.

2. She was among Malaysia's first Malay female doctors

Upon graduating in 1955, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah became one of the first Malay women to qualify as a doctor in Malaysia. She subsequently completed her housemanship at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital.

A year later, she became the first woman to be appointed a Medical Officer in the Maternal and Child Health Department. In 1974, she also became the first woman appointed as a State Maternal and Child Health Officer.

3. She leaves behind seven children, 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild

Image Credit: Perdana Leadership Foundation (PLF)

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah and Tun Dr Mahathir married on 4 August 1956.

Together, they had four children: Marina, Mirzan, Mokhzani and Mukhriz. The couple also adopted three children: Melinda, Mazhar and Maizura.

At the time of her passing, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah and Tun Dr Mahathir had shared 70 years together.

4. She championed maternal and child health throughout her life

Throughout her distinguished career, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah held numerous leadership positions, including President of the Girl Guides Association Malaysia, Chairman of the Kedah Family Planning Association, President of the Malaysian Medical Association Foundation, and President of the Association for the Rehabilitation of Handicapped Children.

She also served as Vice President of the Federation of Family Planning Associations Malaysia, Patron of the Malaysian Association of Maternal Health and Neonatology, and Patron of the Malaysian Paediatric Association.

In addition, she served as President of BAKTI (the Welfare Club of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers), where she actively promoted awareness programmes on drug abuse among youths.

She dedicated much of her life to advocating for maternal and child healthcare, family planning, literacy, education, mental health, and drug prevention.

5. Excellence runs in the family

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah's elder brother, the late Tun Ismail Mohd Ali, was the first Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia and remains the country's longest-serving central bank governor.

Her younger brother, Tan Sri Hashim Mohd Ali, was involved in the 1989 peace negotiations between the Malaysian government and the Communist Party of Malaya. He later served as Chief of Defence Forces from 1987 to 1992.

The late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah also had siblings who made significant contributions to politics and public service. Her brother, Tan Sri Ahmad Razali Mohd Ali, served as Selangor's 10th Menteri Besar, while her sister, Datuk Paduka Dr Hajah Saleha, was among the key figures involved in the early development of UMNO.

6. She received numerous awards and honours

Image Credit: The Straits Times

Throughout her lifetime, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah received numerous honours in recognition of her contributions to public health, education, literacy and drug abuse prevention.

She was conferred various titles and awards by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the rulers of Selangor and Kedah, as well as the governors of Sabah, Sarawak, Penang and Melaka.

In 2003, she was awarded the prestigious Seri Setia Mahkota Malaysia (SSM), one of the nation's highest federal honours, which carries the title "Tun".

Featured Image Credit: Utusan Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad | Instagram