‘Every corner reminds him of her’: Mukhriz appeals for privacy for Dr Mahathir

Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir has implored the public and media to grant his father, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the necessary time and privacy to mourn the loss of his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. The prime minister's grief is evident, as the loss of his wife of 70 years has left him in a deep state of sorrow, Awani reported.

Mukhriz emphasized that it will take time for his father to fully accept the reality of his mother's absence from their lives. Speaking to reporters after attending a tahlil and Yasin recitation ceremony held in memory of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah at the Saidina Umar Al-Khattab Mosque in Bukit Damansara, Mukhriz stated that the family home is particularly challenging for his father, as each room evokes painful memories of his late wife.

Due to this emotional difficulty, Mukhriz believes it would be better for his father to stay temporarily at the National Heart Institute (IJN) until he can recover both physically and emotionally. Mukhriz also mentioned that Dr Mahathir recently visited his wife's grave, which he deemed a positive step towards healing. He urged everyone to empathize with his father's situation and avoid putting excessive pressure on him during this sensitive period of mourning.

Mukhriz pointed out that if anyone were to experience a similar loss, they too would feel immense grief. He asked for understanding and patience, urging people to give his father the space he needs to recover in his own time. Dr Hasmah passed away at the age of 100 on September 28 at the IJN, marking the end of a 70-year union that was one of the most enduring partnerships in the nation's history.