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

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is currently experiencing a profound sense of solitude following the passing of his wife, Tun Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali, with whom he spent over seven decades together, according to their daughter, Datuk Marina Mahathir. Berita Harian reported that Marina informed reporters after visiting her 101-year-old father's grave at Pusara Negara in Presint 20 today that her father remains in good health but is grappling with the loss of his lifelong companion, who passed away yesterday at the age of 100.

"Of course he is sad. She was his partner for 70 years. He feels lonely," Marina said to reporters. She further revealed that family members have been taking shifts to stay with Dr Mahathir around the clock to prevent him from feeling isolated during this challenging time. Marina emphasized that the entire family is mourning the absence of Siti Hasmah, who was central to family life for years.

"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," she added. Dr Hasmah's death was confirmed by her son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir, at the National Heart Institute yesterday morning. Marina expressed gratitude to the public for their tributes at the mosque and burial grounds, noting the overwhelming display of affection and support.

She also mentioned that hundreds of condolence messages had been received via WhatsApp and other platforms, making it impractical for the family to respond individually. According to Marina, many Malaysians viewed Siti Hasmah as a maternal figure, which added a layer of significance to the tributes. When asked about her father's willingness to receive visitors, Marina stated that Dr Mahathir is open to receiving support, but the family has to regulate the number of visitors to prevent overwhelming him.

"Father can receive visitors, but we have to control the numbers. There cannot be too many at one time," she said.