KUALA LUMPUR – Former Singaporean Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff has expressed his appreciation to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali for offering condolences following the death of his daughter, saying their gesture showed compassion during a difficult time.
In a Facebook post, Zulfikar said friends had asked whether any People’s Action Party (PAP) politicians had reached out to offer condolences after his daughter Sayyida Nafeesa Zulfikar died in a road accident in Melbourne.
He said none had done so, despite some of them having known him personally for years.
However, Zulfikar said Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah had extended their condolences, even though he had only met the former Malaysian prime minister once.
“After my daughter Nafeesa died a few months ago, friends asked if any PAP politician reached out to share their condolences.
“None did.
“Even though some of them know me personally for years.
“But Tun Mahathir and Tun Hasmah were kind enough to send theirs.
“Even though I met Tun Mahathir only once in my life in September last year.
“They showed compassion to a father they barely know.”
Zulfikar also paid tribute to Dr Siti Hasmah following her death.
“May Allah shower His mercy upon the soul of the late Tun Hasmah and place her among those who are faithful.
“And may Allah grant patience and ease to Tun Mahathir in facing this immense test.”
Sayyida Nafeesa, 21, was killed on December 9, 2025, after a large roadside pole fell onto her vehicle during a truck crash along the Hume Highway in Somerton, Melbourne.
According to Victoria Police, a truck travelling northbound collided with a red sedan at about 7.45am. The truck rolled over and struck a roadside pole, causing it to fall onto a silver Honda travelling in the opposite direction.
Sayyida Nafeesa, who was behind the wheel of the Honda, died at the scene despite efforts by paramedics.
She worked as an administrative and enrolment officer at MyCollege, an Islamic independent school in Dallas, Melbourne. The school described her as a professional known for her “compassion, integrity and warm presence”.
Confirming his daughter’s death in a Facebook post, Zulfikar described her as “deeply caring and loving”, adding that she was “smart, modest and respectful”.
“Alhamdulillah Nafeesa keeps her prayers,” he wrote. “She will go out of her way to help anyone in need.”
Speaking to 9 News, Zulfikar said: “She was just driving to work, thinking about what she’s going to do for work and how she is going to help others.”
The crash is being investigated by Victoria Police’s major crash unit. The truck driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital, while the occupants of the red sedan were unharmed.
The incident caused major traffic disruptions, with authorities closing a section of the Hume Highway between Austrak Drive and the Cooper Street–Somerton Road intersection. VicTraffic advised motorists to use alternative routes and allow extra travel time.
Zulfikar, a former Singapore citizen who has lived in Australia since 2002, was detained under Singapore’s ISA in 2016 over allegations related to online promotion of extremist ideology, including content authorities said supported ISIS.
He was released from detention on November 5, 2020, after authorities assessed that he no longer posed a security threat. He later renounced his Singapore citizenship in August 2020.
His family had rejected the allegations at the time, describing them as selective and outdated, while disputing the government’s portrayal of his online activities. They maintained that Zulfikar opposed violence, did not support terrorist groups and had been detained without trial unfairly.
His online activities have continued to attract scrutiny. In November 2025, the Singapore Police Force ordered the disabling of social media accounts operated by Zulfikar under the name “The Inquiry”, citing content with alleged seditious undertones.
Meanwhile, condolences continued to be extended following Dr Siti Hasmah’s death, with foreign leaders paying tribute to her contributions to medicine, public health and social welfare.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over her passing and extended condolences to Dr Mahathir, his family and the people of Malaysia.
“Dr Siti Hasmah’s long and distinguished service in medicine, public health and social welfare would be remembered with respect,” Zardari said, according to Pakistan’s Press Information Department.
Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu also expressed sadness over her death, describing Dr Siti Hasmah as one of Malaysia’s first women doctors and highlighting her contributions to maternal health and rural communities.
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen described Dr Siti Hasmah as a respected doctor, public health advocate and pioneer who devoted her life to serving Malaysians.
“In this time of profound grief, on behalf of the Senate of Cambodia and myself, I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to you, your family, the government and the people of Malaysia,” Hun Sen said in a Facebook post.
Dr Siti Hasmah was laid to rest at 6.20pm at Pusara Negara in Precinct 20, Putrajaya, with Dr Mahathir, their children and other family members present.
A state-level funeral was held in honour of Dr Siti Hasmah, who died at the National Heart Institute (IJN) at 9.20am on Monday at the age of 100. – September 29, 2026