The strong woman behind Dr Mahathir Mohamad

By Mariam Mokhtar

Wife. Mother. Grandmother. Sister. Aunt. Cousin. Friend. Pioneer.

Although many Malaysians harbour mixed feelings about her husband, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali is both loved and respected.

Marriage to a politician cannot be easy, especially one as active as Mahathir. Yet their marriage has proven both stable and enduring, despite the sacrifices that Siti Hasmah, her husband and their family must endure.

The public normally sees a perfectly coiffed woman, dignified and unruffled. Despite the pressures of being married to the nation’s longest serving prime minister, she has always balanced the rigours of his office and the demands of the nation with those of her growing family. Other women would have suffered a nervous breakdown or been more demanding, but Siti Hasmah is too cultured for that.

She was one of the first Malay woman doctors in Malaya, and the first woman to be appointed a medical officer in the Kedah civil service. She likely gave up a full-time career to support her husband in his political position. By then, she was already famous in her own right for championing causes like family planning, women’s health and drug abuse control.

In January, the Shah Alam convention centre was filled with shouts of “Hidup Tun!” when Pakatan Harapan’s chief secretary, Saifuddin Abdullah, announced Mahathir as the coalition’s prime ministerial candidate.

The crowd got to its feet, applauding and chanting his name. Mahathir stood and bowed to acknowledge and thank his supporters.

But amid the jubilant cries and noise of celebration, one woman was quietly shedding tears, shoulders hunched and head bowed so that no one could see her face.

Many might have concluded that Siti Hasmah was feeling a surge of emotions over the fact that Mahathir still retained his charm.

The truth only emerged a month later, when she said in an interview with Oriental Daily News that she had been emotional because Mahathir was “going for a second round” at 93.

She said they were no longer 56 and 55, as they had been when Mahathir first became prime minister in 1981.

Siti Hasmah will turn 92 in July. Mahathir, who is a year older, must share his wife’s struggles. Nevertheless, he is determined to finish the unresolved business of rebuilding Malaysia before resuming his retirement and having a well-deserved rest.

Anyone who has been on the campaign trail knows that it is strenuous work. Many younger men struggle, but Mahathir’s stamina surpasses the imagination of most.

Today, his speech may be slower than it used to be, but his rejoinders are still strong. He may look smaller, fragile and more wrinkled, but his trademark wit and sarcasm remains. His policies may once have divided the nation, but even those who were affected have been spellbound when meeting him in person.

One man said, “I was ready to confront him and ask him about his controversial policies, but I came away hypnotised. He was so convincing. He spoke calmly and in such a matter-of-fact way that he completely disarmed me.”

Another person said, “At least he has the gumption to take on this battle for the hearts and minds of Malaysia. It must be gruelling work. To speak off the cuff. To answer the questions. To travel from one ceramah to another. To be prepared for every eventuality, like the time some ruffians set off flares. Mahathir is not a young man, but he manages, with apparent ease.”

At a time, when he could be enjoying the solitude of his books, the company of his grandchildren and the hospitality of his friends, Mahathir feels it his responsibility to lead Malaysia.

He deserves our support to rebuild Malaysia, but his last battle royal in truth hinges on the support of his wife, Siti Hasmah.