Singapore leaders have paid tribute to Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, following her death at the age of 100.
Siti Hasmah died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur at about 9.20am on Sept. 28. She was later laid to rest at Pusara Negara in Putrajaya, with Mahathir, their children and other family members present.
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was saddened by her passing and recalled having known her for many years. He described her as warm and gracious, with a lively personality and a strong sense of humour.
Lee also remembered her passion for music and the violin. She continued performing into her 90s, including appearances that helped raise funds for charity. He said he and his wife, Ho Ching, would remember Siti Hasmah fondly and extended their condolences to Mahathir and the family.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also expressed his condolences, describing Siti Hasmah as a pioneer whose contributions to healthcare, education and social causes touched generations of Malaysians.
Wong said she would be remembered not only for her public contributions but also for her warmth, grace and zest for life.
Siti Hasmah’s medical career was closely connected to Malaysia’s public-health development. She advocated for maternal health, family planning, literacy, drug-abuse prevention and mental-health initiatives, with particular attention to women, children and families.
Her influence extended beyond her professional work. Over decades in public life alongside Mahathir, she became a familiar figure in Malaysia and was involved in numerous social and community causes.
The couple married in 1956 and had seven children. Their marriage lasted seven decades, with the couple marking their 70th wedding anniversary in August 2026.
Other Singapore figures also expressed their condolences. Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong remembered Siti Hasmah as a remarkable woman, while former President Halimah Yacob recalled her warmth, friendliness and humility.
The tributes reflected the close personal and historical ties between Singapore and Malaysia. Siti Hasmah and Mahathir had maintained relationships with leaders in Singapore over many years, including meetings between the two families.
Her death also prompted widespread recognition of a generation of Malaysian public figures who combined professional careers with extensive public service.
For Singapore’s leaders, however, the tributes focused as much on Siti Hasmah’s personal qualities as on her public record. Lee’s recollections of her humour, music and warmth offered a more personal portrait of someone who had spent much of her life in the public eye.
Siti Hasmah’s passing marks the end of a long life that spanned major changes in Malaysia’s healthcare system, politics and society. Her work as a doctor and advocate for public-health causes became an important part of her legacy.
As condolences continue to reach Mahathir and his family, Siti Hasmah is being remembered across Malaysia and Singapore for both her contributions to society and the personal warmth that colleagues, leaders and friends associated with her.
