Hasmah, wibawa tanpa perlu menonjol

Dr. Hasmah Ali's passing at the age of 100 marked the end of a long journey for the doctor and widow of a former Prime Minister, but also invited reflection on her role in supporting former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad for decades. Mahathir, who was a year older, had been by her side through most of his political and public life.

In history, many long-serving leaders were accompanied by partners who provided stability in their lives. Siti Hartinah, known as Ibu Tien, for instance, was synonymous with her late husband, the former President of Indonesia, Suharto. Her passing in 1996 left a significant impact on Suharto. Two years later, he resigned from the presidency amid political and social turmoil.

However, Hasmah managed to hold the position of a First Lady alongside a Prime Minister in her own unique way. Throughout the first 22 years of Mahathir's tenure, her name rarely became part of the controversies surrounding his administration. In such a close proximity to the center of power, it was no small feat. Hasmah knew how to be present without trying to overshadow attention.

She stood by Mahathir when needed but never gave the impression that his position also became the stage for her. Her own background gave Hasmah a strong sense of self. As one of the earliest Malay women to become a doctor, she had a career, education, and achievements of her own before being recognized by society as the wife of the Prime Minister.

In this regard, she shared similarities with Kwa Geok Choo, the wife of former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. While both chose to stand by their husbands without trying to share political spotlight, Kwa's career as a lawyer and running a family business gave her more room to be outside of her husband's public life. Hasmah, on the other hand, had to appear at various formal events and public appearances alongside Mahathir, where her strengths were most clearly evident.

In situations demanding empathy, such as after the Highland Towers tragedy of 1993 and the Bright Sparklers fire, Hasmah was able to show her sympathy without being excessive. Her compassion appeared genuine, not made for the camera. Another striking aspect of Hasmah was her appearance. She was often seen in public without a veil, but this almost never overshadowed the public's view of her personality, composure, or religious beliefs.

Perhaps this is the uniqueness of Hasmah. Terence Netto, a senior journalist and FMT reader, provides this commentary as his own view and not necessarily representing FMT.