Mahathir’s wife Siti Hasmah dies at 100

A solemn mood filled Masjid As Syarif in Serdang, Malaysia as political figures, high-ranking officials, notable personalities, and members of the public gathered for the funeral prayers of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali. The mosque's congregation started to arrive at around 1pm, well before the commemorative service for the wife of the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Distinguished guests present included Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin, the former Prime Minister; Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Chief Secretary to the Government; Admiral Tan Sri Zulhelmy Ithnain, Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy; Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, Communications Minister; and Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, a Member of Parliament. Syed Saddiq was accompanied by his fiancée, Bella Astillah.

Dr Mahathir arrived at the mosque separately, dressed in a white baju Melayu. The remains of Dr Siti Hasmah were brought to the mosque at 2:55pm after being transferred from their family home in The Mines, Seri Kembangan. In the hours leading up to the funeral, family members, close friends, and political associates had congregated at the residence to pay their respects and participate in Yasin prayers.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced earlier that Dr Siti Hasmah would receive a state funeral, following her passing at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in the early hours of the day. Anwar instructed the Chief Secretary to the Government and Chief of Defence Forces to aid in the preparations. According to the Prime Minister's Department, Dr Siti Hasmah would be given the State Funeral of a National Dignitary, with her remains transported to Masjid As-Syarif for the final arrangements and prayers after the Asar prayer.

She will subsequently be interred at the Presint 20 Muslim Cemetery in Putrajaya. Dr Siti Hasmah, who was 100 years old, passed away at the IJN at 9:20am. Her demise was confirmed by her son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir.