Hannah Yeoh remembers Tun Dr Siti Hasmah for her humility, calm leadership, kindness and lifelong support for Tun Dr Mahathir
PUTRAJAYA: The gentle and humble manner of the late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali when speaking made people listen to her every piece of advice and word, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh.
Hannah said Dr Siti Hasmah’s calm demeanour also made her a woman leader who would be difficult to replace.
“She did not need to raise her voice, but whenever she spoke, everyone would listen. She was very humble, always calm and always present alongside Tun Dr Mahathir,” she told reporters at Pusara Negara, Precinct 20, here today.
Hannah said Dr Siti Hasmah’s loyalty in accompanying and supporting her husband was evident when Tun Dr Mahathir returned as Prime Minister for a second time in 2018 at the age of 92.
She said she was saddened by Dr Siti Hasmah’s passing and touched by video recordings and photographs showing Dr Mahathir following the loss of his wife, who had been his lifelong companion.
“He will certainly miss Tun Dr Siti Hasmah very much because they had lived their lives together for such a long time,” she said.
Hannah said Dr Siti Hasmah was also an example to women through her emphasis on education and her career as a doctor, as she believed education gave women greater opportunities to serve and contribute to society.
Sharing a personal memory, Hannah said Dr Siti Hasmah would hold her hand whenever they met, making her feel comfortable in her presence.
“She was very gentle in her speech and very kind. She would always ask, ‘How are you?’, but the difference was that she would really listen to my answer.
“Usually, people ask ‘How are you?’ but are not really interested in hearing the answer. Tun Dr Siti Hasmah was very interested in listening to it,” she said.
Hannah also extended her condolences to Tun Dr Mahathir and the entire family on the passing of Dr Siti Hasmah, who died at the National Heart Institute at 9.20 am today at the age of 100.
Dr Siti Hasmah will be laid to rest at Pusara Negara, Precinct 20, here today. The government has accorded her a state funeral.
