KUALA LUMPUR — Tributes for the late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali who died today reflect the significant contributions she made to public health, badminton and in supporting the political career of her husband, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim paid tribute to Dr Siti Hasmah and her compassion for the people.
“She was active as wife of the Prime Minister in various social work. Thank you for your legacy,” Anwar told reporters after attending a conference at the ISTAC-Islamic International University Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, meanwhile, described Dr Siti Hasmah’s passing at the age of 100 today as a profound loss for the nation, remembering her service as a doctor and her concern for the well-being of the community.
He also said he had personally witnessed her gentleness and humility as she stood by Dr Mahathir through politically challenging seasons while raising their family.
“This morning, the nation mourns the passing of the late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, a highly respected woman who held a special place in the hearts of Malaysians.
“It is difficult to imagine the emptiness left by the loss of someone who has been by one’s side for so long,” Zahid said in a Facebook post today.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), of which Siti Hasmah was former patron, also extended its condolences to Dr Mahathir’s family and recounted her service to the sport as patron for over two decades until 2007, a reign that spanned Malaysia’s historic Thomas Cup win over arch-rivals Indonesia at Stadium Negara here in 1992.
“The badminton fraternity will always remember and cherish former patron Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali for her warmth, support and affection for sport.
“BAM President Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, together with the BAM Council, management, coaches, players and staff, extend heartfelt condolences to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
“May Allah SWT shower her with his mercy and blessings, and place her among the righteous. May her family be granted strength and patience in this time of sorrow,” it said.
National badminton legend Datuk Razif Sidek also paid her tribute, describing her passing as a great loss to the Malaysian badminton family.
He said the members of the 1992 Thomas Cup squad would particularly feel saddened by her loss as she had been a “mother figure” to them.
“We regarded her as the mother of the Thomas Cup squad at the time. Sometimes, she would come to our training sessions, meet and chat with us and offer a few words of encouragement.
“We will never forget her contribution when Malaysia won the Thomas Cup in 1992 at Stadium Negara,” Razif, who captained the 1992 Thomas Cup squad, told Bernama when contacted today.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad paid tribute to Dr Siti Hasmah’s contributions to pubic health.
She was a pioneer in developing public health policies, particularly in maternal and child health, family health and social welfare, he said.
“As a distinguished doctor and prominent figure who dedicated decades of service, her contributions to the medical profession, public health and community development will undoubtedly be remembered for generations to come.
“On behalf of the entire Ministry of Health, I convey my deepest appreciation for Tun Dr Siti Hasmah’s contributions and decades of dedicated service to the nation,” Dzulkefly said after attending a World Suicide Prevention Day event in Ipoh, Perak.
Sabah and Sarawak leaders also paid tribute to Siti Hasmah’s contributions, with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor describing her passing as a profound loss felt by all Malaysians.
Sarawak Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi said Siti Hasmah’s contributions to maternal, child and rural community healthcare, had been invaluable.
Dr Siti Hasmah was the country’s first Malay woman doctor, and also the first Malay woman in her class at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore. She met Dr Mahathir, who was a year older than her and who was also studying medicine there.
They married in 1956 and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last month.
Siti Hasmah began her medical career as a house officer at Kuala Lumpur Hospital in 1955 before moving to Kedah the following year, where she was appointed medical officer at the Alor Star Hospital.
It was in Kedah, Dr Mahathir’s home state, that she witnessed first-hand the healthcare challenges faced by rural communities — an experience that would shape much of her subsequent work in public health.
In 1962, she was appointed acting medical superintendent for northern Kedah. Three years later, she became the first woman appointed as a medical officer in the Maternal and Child Health Department and also served as principal of the Rural Health Training School in Jitra.
At the global level, Dr Siti Hasmah championed the the welfare of rural women at Summit on the Economic Advancement of Rural Women in Geneva in 1992 at the invitation of Queen Fabiola of Belgium.
She served as chairperson of the Regional Steering Committee on the Economic Advancement of Rural and Island Women for the Asia-Pacific Region in September 1995, taking up issues such as microfinancing to help lift rural women out of poverty.
In Malaysia, this commitment was translated into support for the development of rural women’s entrepreneurship, with Dr Siti Hasmah officiating the Rural Women Entrepreneur Development Seminar in Kuala Lumpur in 1998. – September 28, 2026