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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: A century-long life came to an end on Monday as Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, the wife and lifelong companion of former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for seven decades, was laid to rest with full state honours.
Members of the royal families, the prime minister, cabinet ministers, political leaders, military officials and members of the public gathered to pay their final respects, from Masjid As-Syarif in Taman Sungai Besi to Pusara Negara in Precinct 20, Putrajaya.
Dr Siti Hasmah died at 9.20am on Monday at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 100. Her death was confirmed by her son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir, with news of her passing prompting an outpouring of grief across the country.
Her remains were taken to Masjid As-Syarif in Taman Sungai Besi in the afternoon. Family members, friends and dignitaries began arriving from around 1.15pm, while crowds grew steadily ahead of the arrival of the remains shortly before 3pm.
As the main prayer hall reached capacity, mourners spilled into the verandah and entrance areas. The large turnout also caused severe congestion on surrounding roads, prompting traffic police to be deployed to manage the situation.
Mahathir arrived at the mosque in a separate vehicle travelling alongside the hearse carrying his wife’s remains. Family members stood beside him as he bade farewell to his wife of more than seven decades.
The bathing and shrouding of Dr Siti Hasmah’s remains, as well as the public viewing and other funeral rites, were conducted at Masjid As-Syarif. Due to the large congregation, Asar prayers were held in two sessions before the funeral prayer.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, arrived at around 4pm to participate in the funeral prayer and pay their final respects. They also conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.
Among those present at the funeral prayer were Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, along with other cabinet members and former senior leaders.
Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor were also among those who paid their final respects.
Following the funeral prayer, Dr Siti Hasmah’s coffin, draped in the national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, was carried out of the mosque by uniformed personnel. Her remains were then transferred to a ceremonial hearse for the final journey to Pusara Negara in Precinct 20, Putrajaya.
Royal family members and other prominent figures later gathered at Pusara Negara to pay their respects.
At 4.45pm, Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah arrived at the national mausoleum. She was accompanied by Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah and Tengku Puteri Raja Tengku Afzan Aminah Hafizatullah.
Others who paid their respects included Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Kedah Raja Muda Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Earlier, Federal Territories Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Hannah Yeoh and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud had also arrived at Pusara Negara.
Prime Minister Anwar had earlier announced that Dr Siti Hasmah would be accorded a full state funeral in recognition of her pioneering public service and lasting contributions to the nation.
Dr Siti Hasmah began her career as a doctor and became one of Malaysia’s pioneering women medical professionals. She devoted decades to improving maternal and child healthcare, particularly in rural communities, and was involved in various social initiatives focusing on women, families and public health.
She married Mahathir in 1956, and the couple had seven children — Marina, Mirzan, Melinda, Mokhzani, Mukhriz, Maizura and Mazhar.
A familiar figure in Malaysia’s public life, Dr Siti Hasmah stood alongside Mahathir throughout much of his long political and national career. Over the decades, she became a prominent figure in her own right through her contributions to medicine, public health and social welfare.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief among