Marina Mahathir: My father healthy but lonely after loss of beloved wife

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 29 — Former Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is adjusting to a profound loneliness after losing his beloved wife Tun Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali, with whom he had celebrated over seven decades of marriage, according to their daughter Datuk Marina Mahathir. Berita Harian reported that Marina disclosed her 101-year-old father remains in good health but is experiencing grief over the absence of his lifelong companion, who passed away at the age of 100 yesterday.

"Of course he is sad. She was his partner for 70 years. He feels lonely," Marina told reporters following a visit to her mother's grave at Pusara Negara in Presint 20 today.

Marina stated that family members have been taking shifts to be present with Dr Mahathir around the clock to prevent him from feeling isolated during this challenging period. "He feels very alone now. How could he not be sad? She was his partner for 70 years," she added. The loss has resonated throughout the family, as they grapple with Siti Hasmah's absence following years of her being the center of family life.

"We all miss mother. We were so used to seeing her at home, and now it is hard to believe she is no longer with us," Marina expressed.

Dr Hasmah succumbed to her passing at the National Heart Institute yesterday morning, a confirmation made by her son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir. Marina also extended gratitude to members of the public who paid their respects at the mosque and the burial site, acknowledging the overwhelming display of affection and support. She noted that hundreds of condolence messages flooded in via WhatsApp and other channels, rendering it impossible for the family to respond to each individually.

According to Marina, many Malaysians viewed Siti Hasmah as a maternal figure, rendering the tributes particularly poignant for the family.

When asked about visits to Dr Mahathir, Marina revealed that her father is receptive to well-wishers, albeit with the need to regulate visitor numbers to avoid overwhelming him. "Father can receive visitors, but we have to control the numbers. There cannot be too many at one time," she concluded.