Tun Dr Siti Hasmah’s life and career have inspired Malaysians to reflect on her legacy and the importance of pursuing one’s aspirations before marriage.
AS MALAYSIANS mourn the passing of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, one of the country’s pioneering Malay women doctors, many have reflected on her remarkable legacy in medicine, public health and her role as the wife of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In a modern world where expectations to marry and start a family at a young age are less pronounced, some women may still feel as though they are running out of time.
Dr Siti Hasmah’s life story, however, has inspired them to recognise the importance of prioritising their own aspirations and building a career before committing to a lifelong partnership.
“Tun Dr Siti Hasmah getting married at 30 years old is a validation for women who want to build their careers first before starting a family,” a Threads post said.
The post also highlighted that Dr Siti Hasmah married Mahathir in 1956, at a time when traditional expectations surrounding marriage and women’s roles remained deeply rooted.
“She was fulfilling her father’s wish to complete her studies and settle her housemanship,” the post added.
Her story has resonated with netizens, who agreed that building a career before settling down should be prioritised not merely for personal achievement, but also to establish financial and personal security within a marriage.
“I agree. Only a great man is brave enough to marry a great woman. Women do not have to downgrade themselves to make a man feel great about himself,” a user said.
Dr Siti Hasmah passed away on Monday (Sept 28) at the age of 100 at the National Heart Institute (IJN), leaving behind her husband and seven children, including social activist and writer Marina Mahathir and former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
She graduated from the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore in 1955 and went on to become one of Malaysia’s pioneering healthcare professionals. She served in several states, including Kedah, for decades, with a focus on child, maternal and public health.
