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PUTRAJAYA – A silver-engraved bracelet bought during a shopping trip in Bamako, Mali, in 1984 remains one of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s cherished memories of the late Tun Dr Hasmah Mohamad Ali.
During the trip, Dr Wan Azizah took a liking to the bracelet but realised she had no cash, as the market did not accept card payments.
Seeing her dilemma, Dr Hasmah offered to pay for it first.
“She asked if I liked it. I felt shy to say yes. How could I let the Prime Minister’s wife pay for it?
“But Kak Hasmah said she could pay for the bracelet first, and I could reimburse her later,” she said in an exclusive interview with Sinar Harian at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Kompleks Seri Perdana, here on Wednesday.
Dr Wan Azizah said what she remembered most was not the money, but the way Dr Hasmah treated her like an older sister helping a younger sibling.
“She gave me the space and the opportunity to buy something. As an older sister, she helped me. That is what I remember,” she said.
The group later continued its journey to Makkah to perform umrah, where Dr Wan Azizah had another experience she would never forget.
Recalling the moment, she said Dr Mahathir was given the opportunity to enter the Kaabah, something she never thought she would experience herself.
Before entering Masjid al-Haram, Dr Wan Azizah had to perform ablution, leaving her worried that she would miss the opportunity.
“I remember how Dr Hasmah did not leave me behind. I thought I would miss it, but as it turned out, she waited for me and we entered the Kaabah together with the group. Alhamdulillah,” she said.
Dr Wan Azizah said the experience was deeply meaningful as she had never imagined being given such a rare opportunity.
For her, the experiences in Bamako and Makkah remain among the most personal memories she cherishes of Dr Hasmah.
The seemingly small gestures reflected the woman she affectionately called ‘Kak Hasmah’ – a caring older sister who always looked after those around her.
More than four decades later, Dr Wan Azizah said Dr Hasmah’s help in buying the bracelet in Bamako and her decision to wait for her before entering the Kaabah remained priceless memories.
“She was an inspiration in my life. She gave me an example and also lessons,” she said.
