KUALA LUMPUR – The late Tun Rahah Mohamed Noah had made enormous contributions to assist Tun Abdul Razak Hussein when he was the second prime minister, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Dr Mahathir, who was close to Tun Razak’s family, described Tun Rahah as among the last of the independence generation who contributed invaluable services and sacrifices to the country.
“(She) is the ‘merdeka’ generation… not many people of the merdeka generation are still alive. Maybe (she) was among the last.
"She helped Tun Razak when he was the (second) prime minister...,” said Dr Mahathir, who could not hold back his tears when met after paying his last respects at Ar-Rahah Mosque in Kg Kerinchi earlier today.
Dr Mahathir, who was accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, and son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz, was among the national leaders present to pay their last respects to Tun Rahah.
Among her duties as the wife of the country’s top leader, Tun Rahah proved women could also render effective contributions to the development of the nation by being involved in several women's group activities in the country.
She was active in Ibu Umno (now Wanita Umno) and was the founder of Petaling Jaya Wanita Umno, apart from taking part in welfare activities for the benefit of women.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, meanwhile, said Tun Rahah's passing is a big loss to the nation.
“Tun Rahah made tremendous contributions to the nation as the person assisting Tun Razak to rebuild the country,” he said.
Several opposition politicians were also present to pay their last respects, such as Ketari assemblyman Young Syefura Othman, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Bakri MP Yeo Bee Yin and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil.
Young Syefura said Tun Rahah's perseverance as a single mother who raised five children showed her grit and personality.
"She was a woman who was respected, a determined woman who successfully brought up her children after losing her husband at a young age. Her demise is a big loss to the country and to the women of today,” she said.
Meanwhile, Pandan MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said she was always amazed by Tun Rahah’s perseverance in educating her children when her husband was being treated for leukemia.
"We could learn from her brave and determined attitude. Farewell from me," she said.
Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said Tun Rahah was a shining example of a wife with noble values who was also a pillar of support for her husband.
The loss of Tun Rahah is being clearly felt by the people, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, adding Malaysia has lost an exceptional personality. – Bernama, December 19, 2020
