Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he did not expect his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, to die yesterday as she had appeared well the night before.
In a video shared on Mahathir’s social media accounts, he was seen speaking with Pahang ruler Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who visited to pay his final respects to Hasmah.
“I didn’t expect her to die today,” a sombre Mahathir told the former king.
“She was quite well last night,” he added.
Mahathir also thanked the Pahang royal family for travelling to offer their condolences and pay their last respects.
Al-Sultan Abdullah was accompanied by Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah.
Hasmah died at about 9.25am at the National Heart Institute (IJN) yesterday at the age of 100.
She was accorded a state funeral before being laid to rest at Pusara Negara in Putrajaya later that day.
Her death prompted an outpouring of tributes, with Malaysians remembering her warmth, grace and contributions to the nation.
Her son Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir said Hasmah had been in good spirits the night before her death, but her condition suddenly deteriorated the following day.
Another son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, said his father remained by Hasmah’s side until her final moments.
Mahathir and Hasmah had been married for 70 years.
