By Roodwill
KOTA KINABALU: Sept 29, 2026 — The name Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali is not merely that of the wife of a former prime minister. She was a symbol of resilience and gentleness, and one of the earliest Malay women to break tradition in the professional field.
Tracing her life story, we see not only a woman who stood faithfully behind Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. We see a public health champion who helped shape Malaysian history for 100 years.
Minang girl who broke boundaries in medicine
Born in Klang on July 12, 1926, into a family that placed great importance on education, Siti Hasmah proved that women could go far.
She was among the earliest Malay women to gain admission to the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore.
At a time when women were rarely given the opportunity to pursue higher education, she graduated as a medical doctor in 1955.
Not long after, she made history as the first Malay woman medical officer in Kedah.
There, she served rural communities, travelling through villages to improve maternal and child health. Those efforts laid a strong foundation for today’s rural healthcare system.
Pillar of family and nation
Many knew her through the camera lens: always smiling, holding her husband’s hand tightly and calm in the face of the nation’s political storms.
Her love story with Tun Dr Mahathir, which began at university and endured decade after decade, is often an inspiration to Malaysians.
Behind the scenes, Siti Hasmah was a steadfast manager of the household, raising seven children while her husband was busy steering the country.
In her biography, “My Name is Hasmah”, she candidly shared the challenges and sacrifices, and how she maintained her own identity behind the shadow of a great leader.
A heart close to the people
Siti Hasmah was always known for her maternal nature. She never hesitated to embrace the people and was active in cancer awareness campaigns, rural literacy and drug prevention.
She was also greatly talented in music, renowned for her skill in playing the violin. It proved that age is no barrier to continuing to learn new things.
Her passing on Sept 28, 2026 at the age of 100 leaves a huge void in the hearts of Malaysians.
However, her legacy as a doctor, a mother, a wife and an icon for women will live on in the pages of history.
