{
  "id": 10404519,
  "title": "Lee Chong Wei mourns Dr Hasmah: ‘To us, she was a warrior’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/lee-chong-wei-mourns-dr-hasmah-to-us-she-was-a-warrior",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T08:45:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/28/lee-chong-wei-mourns-dr-hasmah-to-us-she-was-a-warrior/236889"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — Lee Chong Wei, the renowned badminton champion, mourns the passing of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, describing her as a \"warrior\" and a cherished figure to the national badminton team, in a statement released today. The 100-year-old Tun passed away at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur, leaving those who knew her deeply saddened. Lee expressed feeling \"frozen\" upon hearing the news and described his heart as \"truly sad and heavy.\"\n\nIn the run-up to the Malaysia Open earlier this year, Lee recounted a conversation with Tun, who had expressed her desire to visit the stadium to support the team. Lee noted that Tun's love for badminton never waned, and he was taken aback by the fact that this would be their final conversation. Lee emphasized that to the general public, Tun was the wife of a former Prime Minister; however, to him and the entire national badminton squad, she was a warrior and the person they respected the most.\n\nLee highlighted that senior players often reminisced about Malaysia's 1992 Thomas Cup victory, during which Tun stood by the team as their patron and her presence was evident whenever they spoke of that triumph, often visibly moved. Throughout Lee's almost two-decade-long career, spanning from his early days in the national squad to competing at the international level, Tun remained a constant presence, irrespective of the outcomes of their matches. She treated the players as her own children and skillfully mediated any disputes within the team with \"gentleness and wisdom.\" Lee emphasized that Tun's affection for the team served as the \"strongest bulwark\" for Malaysian badminton.\n\nAdditionally, Lee noted that Tun herself played badminton until the age of 75, her passion for the sport serving as an inspiration for the entire team. Lee concluded his statement by expressing his heartfelt condolences, stating that Tun's \"smile and the warmth of your love will always live on in the court, and in the hearts of all Malaysians.\" He ended by saying, \"Rest in peace, Tun. We will always miss you.\" Tun, the wife of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was accorded a state funeral following her demise.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — Badminton legend Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei has paid tribute to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali,...",
  "key_points": [
    "Lee Chong Wei mourns Tun Dr Siti Hasmah's passing as a warrior",
    "Tun supported badminton team as a patron, present at 1992 Thomas Cup",
    "Lee described Tun's love for badminton lasting until age 75"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Lee Chong Wei mourns Dr Hasmah: ‘To us, she was a warrior’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/lee-chong-wei-mourns-dr-hasmah-to-us-she-was-a-warrior-10406336",
        "published": "2026-09-28T08:45:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}