Public continue to pay respects at Siti Hasmah's grave

PUTRAJAYA: Members of the public continued to visit Pusara Negara in Precinct 20 here today to pay their respects at the grave of the late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.

Visitors began arriving as early as 8am, with many visibly saddened as they came to pay their final respects to the national figure who contributed greatly to the country.

In a sombre atmosphere, visitors recited Surah Yasin beside her grave, while others sprinkled rosewater as a gesture of love, respect and prayers for the departed.

Some stood silently with their hands raised in prayer, while others spent time reciting verses from the Quran beside the grave.

The steady stream of visitors this morning reflected the deep sense of loss and respect for the late Dr Siti Hasmah, who was laid to rest at Pusara Negara.

Dr Siti Hasmah, who was also the wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, died at the National Heart Institute (IJN) two days ago.

She died at the age of 100, leaving behind seven children.

The late Dr Siti Hasmah was among the earliest Malay women to qualify as a doctor before dedicating her career to the country's public healthcare sector.

Born in Kampung Jawa, Klang, Selangor, in 1926, she pursued medical studies at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore on a government scholarship.

She was the only Malay female student in her cohort.

It was there that she met Dr Mahathir before they married in 1956.

She was not only known as Dr Mahathir's devoted companion, but also left a significant legacy through efforts to promote maternal and child health and community well-being.