Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong recalls Dr Hasmah’s humour, zest and love for music

Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared on Facebook a photo with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, taken in May 2018. — Picture via Facebook/Lee Hsien Loong

First Published: Monday, 28 Sep 2026 4:33 PM MYT

Last Modified: Monday, 28 Sep 2026 4:34 PM MYT

SINGAPORE, Sept 28 — The late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah was a warm and gracious person, full of life, and had a wonderful sense of humour, said Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Dr Siti Hasmah, wife of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, passed away at the National Heart Institute (IJN), Kuala Lumpur on Monday morning at the age of 100.

Lee, in expressing his condolences to Dr Mahathir and family, said Dr Siti Hasmah as a doctor had devoted much of her life to improving the health and well-being of Malaysians, particularly women, children, and families.

“Ho Ching and I will remember Tun Siti Hasmah fondly,” he said in his Facebook post on Monday.

Lee also fondly recalled his interaction with Dr Siti Hasmah about her love for music and the violin.

“I remember speaking to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah about her violin performance at the Istana Budaya, when she had played for a good cause.

“She continued performing well into her 90s, including to raise funds for charity. Her zest for life was remarkable,” he said. — Bernama