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SHAH ALAM – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is in good health but feeling lonely following the death of his wife and companion of nearly 70 years, according to a New Straits Times report.
Datuk Marina Mahathir said her father was still grieving the loss of Tun Dr Hasmah Mohamad Ali but remained in stable condition.
“Of course, my father is sad. She was his partner for 70 years. He is just feeling lonely, so we are all trying to spend as much time with him as possible, day and night,” she was quoted as saying.
Marina spoke to reporters after visiting Tun Dr Hasmah’s final resting place at Pusara Negara, Presint 20, Putrajaya.
She arrived at about 10.40am and laid a floral bouquet at her mother’s grave.
Tun Dr Hasmah died at the age of 100 at 9.20am at the National Heart Institute (IJN).
Her death was confirmed by her son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir.
Marina said family members, including her siblings and grandchildren, were taking turns to accompany Dr Mahathir so that he would not be left alone.
“He feels very lonely now. How could he not be sad? She was his partner for 70 years,” she said.
She said the loss was deeply felt by the entire family, who were accustomed to having Dr Hasmah at home.
“We all miss her. We were used to seeing our mother at home, but now it is difficult to believe that she is gone,” she said.
Marina also expressed her gratitude to members of the public who had paid their final respects at the mosque and burial site.
She said she had received hundreds of messages via WhatsApp but was unable to respond to everyone individually at present.
“My whole family and I are deeply touched by all the messages and tributes given to our mother,” she added.
She said the tributes were particularly meaningful as many people regarded Dr Hasmah as a maternal figure.
“Some of them I know and some I do not, but they paid their respects to my mother because they regarded her as their own mother too,” she said.
When asked whether Dr Mahathir was restricting visitors, Marina said he could receive guests but the number would have to be regulated.
“He can receive visitors, but we need to limit the number. We cannot have too many people at one time,” she said.
