Tributes pour in for Dr Hasmah, Malaysia’s beloved ‘Ibu Negara’

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — The passing of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across Malaysia. Former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the King and Queen of Malaysia, and various public figures have expressed their condolences and reflected on the woman widely known as the "Ibu Negara".

Former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman described a final meeting with Dr Hasmah that felt more like a reunion than a farewell. "There was nothing about that day that felt like goodbye. If only I had known it was our last meeting, I would have wished for those two hours to last forever," he wrote.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul hailed Dr Hasmah as an "outstanding female figure" who dedicated her life to public service. As a doctor, she was among the first Malaysian women to enter the medical profession, making significant contributions to public health, particularly in maternal and child health.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said lauded Dr Hasmah as a personal inspiration. "Malaysia has lost a highly respected woman figure. She embodied a unique strength: in her simplicity, there was firmness, and in her gentleness, there was strength."

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow also expressed his condolences, emphasizing Dr Hasmah's enduring legacy. "Tun Dr Siti Hasmah's passing leaves behind an inspiring legacy that will continue to be remembered by generations to come," he stated. "May Allah SWT grant her eternal peace and place her among the righteous."