Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali during the Oral History Session

Google “etiquette” and “first lady” and more than 500,000 articles appear in the search results, with many detailing the numerous faux pas, slips and errors that wives of presidents and prime ministers make during the course of their official duties. Most would be forgiven if committed by ordinary citizens but are elevated to grave sins when committed by a wife of a premier. It is clear, then, that a wife of a Prime Minister has many minefields to navigate and protocols to be mindful of, with almost every move observed and dissected by the public and the media.

Under this sort of fierce scrutiny, Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali, the wife of the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and also the Chancellor of Multimedia University, has shown remarkable composure. From Tun Dr Mahathir’s early days in politics to his time as Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah has been an admirable example of flawless manners and grace under pressure.

Now at 84 years old, the Chancellor of Multimedia University still retains her ladylike charm and serenity, along with a gentle sense of humour and a wit comparable to that of her husband’s.

With decades of experience as wife to a famous, often controversial politician, one wonders whether this former First Lady underwent crash courses in etiquette, public relations, and diplomacy, when her husband became Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister in 1981.

No, was her amused answer when this question was posed to her by Professor Dr. Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz and Dr. Mustapa Kassim from the Institute of Dr. Mahathir’s Thoughts, Universiti Utara Malaysia during the Foundation’s Oral History Session on the 4^th of January 2010. Tun explained that apart from a brief etiquette course in INTAN organised by BAKTI, there had been no formal brief or guidance, and she actually relied substantially on her experience in the medical field to adapt to her new role as a leader’s consort. As the wife of the Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Siti emphasised, she gave her husband full support and encouragement and also lent her ears when he needed a confidant.

They have been married for over fifty years. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad first met Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah when they were both studying medicine at the King Edward VII College in Singapore and they have been together ever since. Perhaps a major ingredient to their obviously strong relationship is Tun Dr. Siti’s belief that a wife should support, and not interfere with her husband’s career, and also should not compete with their husbands, professionally. Sound advice, perhaps, for present couples, where both husband and wife are pursuing careers?

When asked about her husband’s characteristics, particularly in managing crises during his 22 year tenure as the Prime Minster, Tun Dr. Siti told the interviewers that her husband tends to be very calm, attentive and focused when solving problems. She recalled a few incidents illustrating this, such as in 1969 when her husband lost his constituency during the election; in the 1980s when UMNO was divided into Team A and Team B, as well as the economic turmoil which occurred in 1997.

Before the two-hour interview ended, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah was asked to comment on Dato’ Mukhriz (her son) and his potential as the next ‘Mahathir’. Tun Dr. Siti would only say that she was proud of her son and his achievements, and always reminded him to espouse his father’s slogan, “Bersih, Cekap, Amanah”.