Thousands of people attended the janazah of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at Masjid As-Syarif in Seri Kembangan today, following her death at the age of 100.
The funeral prayers were held twice as the large congregation filled the mosque and spilled outside the prayer hall. The first janazah prayer was performed after Asar and was led by Masjid As-Syarif Imam Muhammad Danial Hussain, followed by a second prayer to allow more people to participate.
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Siti Hasmah’s husband of 70 years, attended the funeral prayers alongside their children and other family members. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, also arrived at the mosque to pay their final respects.
Former prime ministers Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, military officials, diplomatic representatives and members of the public were among those who attended.
Her Body arrived at Masjid As-Syarif shortly before 3 p.m. after being taken from the family residence at The Mines in Seri Kembangan, where family members and close friends had earlier gathered to pay their final respects and recite Yasin.
The mosque served as the main venue for the funeral preparations, including the bathing and shrouding of her remains, the final viewing and the janazah prayers. The large turnout also led to heavy traffic around the mosque as mourners arrived to attend the funeral.
Following the janazah prayers, Siti Hasmah’s body was taken to Pusara Negara in Precinct 20, Putrajaya, where she was accorded a state funeral.
She was laid to rest at around 6:20 p.m. today in the presence of Mahathir, their children, relatives and close friends. The funeral ceremony was carried out by members of the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysia Police.
The talkin was recited by the Grand Imam of Putra Mosque, Dr Muhamad Zakuwa Rodzali, following which the Jalur Gemilang was formally handed over to the family. The ceremony recognised Siti Hasmah’s contributions to Malaysia, particularly in healthcare, education and community welfare.
Siti Hasmah was buried beside the grave of Tun Endon Mahmood, the late wife of Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Mahathir remained present throughout the funeral rites and watched as his wife was laid to rest. He was later seen shedding tears beside her grave after the burial. The couple had been married since August 1956 and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last month.
Siti Hasmah died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur at around 9:20 a.m. today. She was a pioneering Malaysian medical doctor who made significant contributions to public health, maternal and child health, women’s development and community welfare.
She is survived by Mahathir and their seven children.
