Dr Mahathir healthy but feeling lonely after Siti Hasmah's death, says daughter

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is in good health but is feeling lonely following the death of his wife and lifelong companion of nearly 70 years, said their daughter Datuk Marina Mahathir.

She said her father was still grieving the loss of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, but remained in good health.

"Of course, my father is sad. She was his partner for 70 years. He is just feeling lonely, so we are all trying to spend as much time with him as possible, day and night," she said.

Marina said this when met after visiting Dr Siti Hasmah's grave at the Heroes' Cemetery in Precinct 20 here today.

She arrived around 10.40am and placed a bouquet at her mother's grave.

Dr Siti Hasmah died aged 100 yesterday at 9.20am at the National Heart Institute (IJN).

Her death was confirmed by her son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir.

Marina said family members, including her siblings and their children, were taking turns to accompany Dr Mahathir so he would not be left alone.

"He feels very lonely now. How could he not be sad? She was his partner for 70 years," she said.

She said the loss was also deeply felt by the family, who had grown accustomed to having Dr Siti Hasmah at home.

"We all miss her. We were used to seeing our mother at home, but now it is difficult to believe that she is gone," she said.

Marina also thanked members of the public who came to pay their last respects to Dr Siti Hasmah at the mosque and grave yesterday.

She said she had received hundreds of messages through WhatsApp but was unable to respond to all of them at present.

"I and the whole family are deeply touched by all the messages and tributes given to our mother," she said.

Marina said the tributes were particularly meaningful as many people regarded Dr Siti Hasmah as their own mother.

"Some of them I know and some I do not, but they paid their respects to my mother because they regarded her as their own mother too," she said.

Asked whether Dr Mahathir was still limiting visitors, Marina said he could receive visitors, but the number would have to be controlled.

"He can receive visitors, but we need to limit the number. We cannot have too many people at one time," she said.