TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali have been recognised by ASEAN Records as the oldest living former prime minister and former prime minister’s spouse in the region.
The recognition was presented during a ceremony at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here yesterday, alongside a third record awarded by ASIA Records to the couple.
The ceremony was held in conjunction with Dr Mahathir’s 101st birthday on July 10, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah’s 100th birthday on July 12, and their 70th wedding anniversary on Aug 5.
Dr Mahathir received the ASEAN Records recognition for being the oldest living former prime minister in ASEAN.
He served as Malaysia’s prime minister for a combined 24 years across two separate terms, from 1981 to 2003 and from 2018 to 2020.
Tun Dr Siti Hasmah was recognised as the oldest living spouse of a former prime minister by ASEAN Records.
The couple married on Aug 5, 1956, and have been together for seven decades. She served as Malaysia’s first lady throughout Dr Mahathir’s two premierships, covering a total period of 24 years.
ASIA Records also recognised the couple as the first former heads of government couple whose ages have both reached 100 years and above while still alive.
Their combined age reached 201 years last month, with Dr Mahathir aged 101 and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah aged 100.
The couple first met in 1947 while studying medicine at King Edward VII College of Medicine before marrying in 1956. They later had seven children, before Dr Mahathir entered politics and eventually became Malaysia’s fourth and seventh prime minister.
Tun Dr Siti Hasmah also played an active role in public service, particularly in health and community-related work.
ASEAN Records and ASIA Records said their verification process found no similar publicly documented achievement in ASEAN or major Asian markets.
The certificates were presented by ASEAN Records and ASIA Records Advisory Board chairman Tan Sri Datuk Danny Ooi, accompanied by chief adjudicator Gillian Ooi and Eldrick Koh. – August 12, 2026
