TUN Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was laid to rest at the National Mausoleum today, bringing to a close a day of mourning for one of the country’s most respected public figures.
Her burial at the national cemetery in Precinct 20 followed funeral prayers at Masjid As Syarif, Taman Sungai Besi Indah, Selangor, this afternoon.
More than 2,000 congregants gathered at the mosque for the funeral prayers, which were performed twice.
The first prayers were led by Ustaz Muhammad Danial Hussan, while the second was led by family representative Ustaz Basyir.
The government accorded Dr Siti Hasmah a state funeral in recognition of her contributions to the country.
She died at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur at 9.20 am today, aged 100.
Her passing was confirmed by her son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir.
Earlier, a steady stream of dignitaries, family members, friends and members of the public gathered at the Mahathir family’s residence at The Mines Residence in Seri Kembangan to pay their last respects.
Among those who visited were Pahang Sultan Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
National Laureate Datuk Kadir Jasin, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Biduanita Negara Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza and her husband Datuk Seri Khalid Jiwa were also among those who came to pay their respects.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier conveyed his condolences to Mahathir and the family. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah also expressed their sympathies.
Dr Siti Hasmah’s death drew condolences from national leaders and members of the public, many of whom remembered her not only as the wife of Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, but also for her own work in medicine and community service.
Born in Klang, Selangor, on July 12, 1926, she graduated from the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore in 1955 and went on to serve as a government medical officer.
At a time when relatively few women entered the medical profession, she was among the country’s pioneering Malay women doctors, serving in public health, including in rural communities.
She married Mahathir on Aug 5, 1956. The couple had seven children.
Throughout Mahathir’s two tenures as prime minister, from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020, Dr Siti Hasmah maintained a public presence of her own, championing issues involving women, children, healthcare and social welfare.
Her work included advocacy on family planning, drug abuse prevention and the welfare of women and children.
The funeral was led by Captain Ahmad Saufi Md Isa from the Army Headquarters, with eight officers from the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) taking part.
The atmosphere at Pusara Negara was sombre as family members, leaders and members of the public gathered to pay their final respects.
After the burial, the Jalur Gemilang was handed over by Government Official Ceremonies Council chairman Datuk Abd Shukor Mahmood.
Putra Mosque Grand Imam Dr Muhamad Zakuwa Rodzali later recited the talkin.
With her burial at the National Mausoleum, Malaysia bids farewell to a woman whose life and public service spanned a century of the nation’s history.
Al-Fatihah. – September 28, 2026
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