Dr Mahathir Expresses Gratitude for Support Following Passing of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all those who helped arrange the funeral of his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, as well as those who have continued to offer prayers for his family.

In a statement today, Dr Mahathir also revealed that he had attempted to return to his office over the past few days, but his health had not yet fully recovered.

He also expressed his appreciation for the prayers and support received from various parties since his wife’s passing, saying they had meant a great deal to him and his family as they coped with their loss.

The 101-year-old former prime minister said the prayers and support reminded him that, despite his profound grief, he remained grateful to Allah SWT for having been blessed with the opportunity to spend so many years with Tun Dr Siti Hasmah throughout his life.

“It reminds me, amid this deeply painful grief, to remain grateful to Allah SWT for having allowed Hasmah to be with me for so long, until this stage of my life, when I have only a little time left,” he said.

In the same statement, Dr Mahathir also took the opportunity to apologise for any greetings, messages of condolence and other messages that he had yet to respond to while he and his family attended to matters following his late wife’s passing.

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, 100, passed away at the National Heart Institute (IJN) on October 13 and was laid to rest at Pusara Negara, Precinct 20, Putrajaya, with a state funeral held on the same day.

AWANI