Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali had just finished a lively discussion with faculty members of the Multimedia University when she turned up at the office of her husband Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former first lady (1981-2003) is now the Chancellor of the Multimedia University, Malaysia; and an octogenarian though she didn’t show any sign of fatigue as she waited for her husband, the former prime minister who still wields considerable clout in Malaysia and in the Asean region.
He was being interviewed by a Thai media delegation on the 86th floor of the Petronas Twin Towers – the world’s tallest “twin buildings” and a testament to Malaysia’s economic prosperity.
Petronas Towers has become Dr Mahathir’s new office since stepping down as premier.
At 84, Dr Mahathir has devoted himself to charity work in development and education and acts as an adviser to several companies.
Both he and his wife are now very much involved with the Multimedia University located in Cyberjaya, a modern city considered by many as Malaysia’s Silicon Valley, and a project initiated by Dr Mahathir himself.
The couple always attend graduation ceremonies where Dr Mahathir gives speeches to new graduates.
Dr Siti Hasmah, as the chancellor of the university, spends a lot of her time attending university events and weekly management meetings.
She said both she and her husband have always been complimented for being down-to-earth and adopting a simple lifestyle.
LIFE AND FAMILY
“We have more time at the dinner table with our children and grandchildren,” said Dr Siti Hasmah as she reflected on life after her husband retired from political office.
She said that all seven of her children are married and have gone on to have their own families and businesses careers.
The nice part of it all are the 17 grandchildren for both grandfather and grandmother to dote on. This is indeed a large family by any standard but something both Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah are very familiar with.
“My children know the best Italian, Chinese and Thai restaurants which serve our favourite dishes. Then there are birthday parties or family gatherings.”
Dr Siti Hasmah recalled a funny story which happened on her birthday which falls in July and is only two days apart from her husband’s. She said Dr Mahathir once forgot to give her a card because her children usually celebrate their parent’s birthdays on the same day.
Dr Siti Hasmah has led a busy life. As first lady she also had to be a wife and mother to seven children.
Before that she undertook the heavy demands which being a medical doctor entailed.
Yet despite all that, Dr Siti Hasmah and Dr Mahathir have raised all seven of their children by themselves.
“We always discuss family matters between ourselves. But for the most part, my children are closer to me because my husband trusted me on matters concerning our children, which gave me an important role in decision making,” Dr Siti Hasmah said of her time supporting her husband during his political career.
She made a point of emphasising that her husband never brought national or party politics home with him.
On the other hand, Dr Siti Hasmah said she never interfered in her husband’s political affairs because they both understood each had their own responsibilities towards the country.
“A wife’s first duty is to support and create a good image for her husband,” said Dr Siti Hasmah who has been married to Dr Mahathir since 1956.
Both Dr Siti Hasmah and Dr Mahathir were educated in schools using the British system, which is why they encouraged their children to study at Western institutions as much as possible.
Though all the children furthered their studies abroad, Dr Siti Hasmah and her husband never failed in their parental duties and obligations. More importantly, the couple gave their children the freedom to choose, be it in education or their careers; which is why all their children pursued a variety of careers paths such as business, politics or engineering.
WHERE THE LOVE DEVELOPED
Both Dr Siti Hasmah and Dr Mahathir studied medicine at the King Edward VII College of Medicine, University of Malaya in Singapore; it was here where they met and fell in love.
Dr Siti Hasmah was the first Malay woman to enroll for a medical course at a university.
The story of their blossoming relationship was featured in the book, Mahathir The Secret of the Malaysian Success by Hajrudin Somun who quoted Dr Mahathir as saying ”before my first year was over, we had become steady”.
The book described Dr Mahathir as an individual who always emphasised family as an important means of support in his life. For him family is ”the anchor which keeps us stable in a complex society”.
University of Malaya medical student reunions are held frequently at the invitation of Dr Siti Hasmah and Dr Mahathir.
She said at the 2009 reunion, most of her college friends were past 80 years of age, walking gingerly with canes, while others needed their children and grandchildren to help them.
Despite going their separate ways after college so many years ago, the bond is still there, Dr Siti Hasmah said.
THE ROLE OF A WIFE
Before politics, both Dr Siti Hasmah and her husband worked as medical doctors at a local state hospital.
Dr Mahathir later opened a private medical clinic called the Mahaclinic, aka Umno Clinic, which was the namesake of the political party with which he was affiliated.
Mahaclinic was the first clinic owned by a Malay. Patients streamed in endlessly and business grew daily.
As Dr Mahathir divided his time between social, political and medical activities, Dr Siti Hasmah stood firm in her supporting role, which involved displaying what she describes as ”proper conduct”.
”The way you portray yourself, interact with others in a down-to-earth manner, without showing resentment towards others less fortunate is very important,” she said.
As a medical doctor Dr Siti Hasmah participated in events and seminars on health issues concerning mothers and their newborns. She soon discovered that people liked her because of her simple dress sense, hairstyle and casual manner when she interacted with people.
These traits were to serve her well when she went on to become the wife of an influential politician, minister and prime minister.
Dr Siti Hasmah became the unofficial adviser to wives of politicians _ on how to conduct themselves when working with others.
”A wife must conduct herself properly to build and enhance the image of her husband in order for his work to be better. Ours is a very important role.”
The feedback from meeting people and interacting with various organisations is an important ingredient which Dr Siti Hasmah uses to improve her even to this day.
As first lady she used her position to campaign tirelessly for women’s health, family planning, controlling drug abuse and adult literacy, as well as to participate in international forums. This won her recognition and domestic and international accolades.
DR MAHATHIR THE WRITER
One of Dr Mahathir’s burning passions is writing – especially critiquing what he sees as injustices.
His oratory skill in the political arena is world-class and he has never backed down even against the world’s major powers.
Under his pseudonym ”Che Det” he has penned numerous articles, commentaries and personal perspectives on politics and economics, with many being published in the Sunday Times newspaper.
His most famous work: The Malay Dilemma 1970, influenced policy and policy makers in the aftermath of the 1969 Malaysian race riots.
While ascending to the premiership of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir was writing to the leaders of other countries, while his wife was also a respected author on medical and family issues.
”I wrote when I could, unlike my husband who is a prolific writer and takes his own pictures. He is a great man of letters,” Dr Siti Hasmah said.
His biographer, Hajrudin Somun, said in Mahathir The Secret of the Malaysian Success the former prime minister wrote a lot about traditions and events in everyday Malay life.
”Sometimes he had humorous comments, although humour was not his strongpoint. Thus, he wrote once how people on picnics used to eat durian for breakfast, snack, tea and dinner. What this means is well known to those who are familiar with the effects of this most famous aphrodisiac with the most unpleasant smell. It is forbidden in airplanes and hotels,” the author said.
Dr Mahathir’s most recent literary work _ blog rather, is titled chedet.com Blogging to unblock.
”These days I blog on a daily basis. It is one of my many activities which includes meeting people, giving interviews both here in Malaysia and abroad, or travelling. Sometimes it seems as if I am busier than I was when I held political office,” he wrote with a sense of pride.
A million hits were logged within one month; that figure became a record 5 million hits over the next four months.
Both octogenarians still have a passion for work and are blessed with good health. They look much younger than their actual ages.
Dr Siti Hasmah said the secret behind her good health has been exercising regularly, eating the proper foods, staying cheerful, getting involved with social causes and, most importantly, doing things for people without expecting anything in return.
The former first lady ended this interview by praising their Majesties the King and Queen of Thailand for their devotion to the people of Thailand. She said that the Thai people are lucky to have a king who works so hard and is the ultimate role model for his subjects.
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