KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali has passed on.

According to media sources, Dr Siti Hasmah, 100, passed away at the National Heart Institite at 9.20am today.

Born in Klang, Selangor, in 1926, she pursued medical studies at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore on a government scholarship and was the only Malay woman in her cohort.

It was there that she met Dr Mahathir, whom she married in 1956.

During Dr Mahathir’s two terms as prime minister, Dr Siti Hasmah served as the prime minister’s wife from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020.

She was actively involved in various charitable, educational and community organisations, championing women’s welfare, public health, youth development and family wellbeing.

Dr Siti Hasmah and Dr Mahathir had seven children.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government will accord a state funeral to the late Dr Siti Hasmah.

 In a statement, Anwar said that he has instructed the Chief Secretary to the Government and the Chief of Defence Force to assist with the funeral arrangements and to accord her the highest honours.

On behalf of the Madani Government and the entire nation, Anwar also paid tribute to her and extended his condolences to her family.

“The nation will forever cherish the memory of her loving, motherly figure and remains grateful for the contributions she made during her lifetime,” he said.

Funeral prayers for Dr Siti Hasmah will be held at Masjid As-Syarif, Taman Sungai Besi Indah, Kuala Lumpur between 3pm and 4pm today.  Burial is scheduled after 4.15pm at the Presint 20 Muslim Cemetery in Putrajaya.