PUTRAJAYA — Tun Dr Siti Hasmah was in a cheerful mood the night before her passing after being admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN), her son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said.
The wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said she had been admitted to IJN for “another medical issue” but suffered heart failure this morning at around 8am.
“I rushed there and was informed that the specialist was in the midst of doing CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation). She was transferred to the CCU (cardiac care unit).
“At around 9am, we were informed that CPR will only be done for another 15 minutes, and (would be discontinued) if the heart did not revive,” Mukhriz told reporters after his mother’s burial at the National Cemetery in Precinct 20, Putrajaya this evening.
He said he had been with her the night before and she was in a cheerful mood.
“She also told me she was ready to leave us. And so this morning, she finally tawakal (committed herself to Allah).
“She was blessed to have lived to a hundred. She put service to the people and country first,” Mukhriz said.
Dr Siti Hasmah died at the age of 100, leaving a legacy in public healthcare as a doctor in rural areas. As a first lady, she championed uplifting rural communities, women’s socio-economic welfare, badminton, arts, music and education.
She was accorded a state funeral by the government. Thousands came to Masjid As-Syarif in Seri Kembangan where she lay in state to pay their respects earlier this afternoon. – September 28, 2026