Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali (Photography by SooPhye)
The Perdana Leadership Foundation is housed in a stately building on the banks of Tasik Putrajaya, and the upper floors provide excellent views of the federal administrative capital that our then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad conceptualised. The building houses the Perdana Library, an auditorium and a multipurpose hall in addition to the offices of Mahathir — the foundation’s honorary president — and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.
The couple has worked from these offices since leaving Putrajaya’s political scene in 2003, enjoying the fruits of what they had built even though they were no longer involved in the nation’s administration.
“I remember that mighty lake when it was just a stream,” Siti Hasmah recalls, gesturing outside. “Can you imagine how much work would have gone into making something once so small now so big?”
She may as well have been referring to our nation’s progress over the years with that statement. From her vantage point as the PM’s wife, Siti Hasmah would have witnessed Malaysia at its best and its worst, in its most vibrant and successful state as well as its most down-trodden. But she would have also seen this nation of ours pick itself up after facing the many challenges and forge ahead, quietly supporting the man who spearheaded its recovery.
And now, Siti Hasmah is back in Putrajaya to do it all over again. “First and foremost, I didn’t expect to be back,” she smiles. “Even during our first round, every time there was an election, I would always have to ask myself — do I pack the house or do I not pack? You can never be confident when you are in politics, and you have to accept that. Certain times you will win and certain times you will lose. My husband has gone through both — he didn’t feel hurt when he lost in 1969. When you do work well, even after a failure like that, you can get back because people know you are capable of doing things right.”
Mahathir’s return to politics was sealed in May when an overwhelming number of Malaysians voted for change in a historic election that none of us who witnessed the day can possibly forget. A stronger opposition coalition and hitherto unheard-of political alliances resulted in a growing sentiment of support, and when D-Day arrived, the people stood up to make their choice. Although Mahathir had sworn never to return to politics when he retired, the prevailing circumstances required a change of heart. Upon his return, Mahathir brought with him that same infallible work ethic and acerbic wit he is famous for, starting within mere hours of the victory — and also his wife, who has always been well-loved by the people. Likeable and warm with genuine affection for everyone she meets, this absolutely elegant nonagenarian speaks in gentle tones filled with tenderness, her motherly charm truly overwhelming.
Siti Hasmah has also been continually lauded for her distinctly non-political stand, which gained her much respect. “When I married Mahathir, I was still a government servant and even at the time, no government servant would take part in politics. I’ve kept to that, and he never spoke to me about politics anyway. Even now, he says if he tells me anything I will worry and that’s not good for me. When he talks about someone who may have a negative impression of us, it shows on my face and he doesn’t like that. Because if I were to meet that person, it would show on my face again,” she admits with a sheepish grin.
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