PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali will be remembered as a pioneering woman who broke barriers, served the nation and helped open doors for generations of Malaysian women, said Wanita MCA chief Datuk Wong You Fong.
She said Dr Siti Hasmah’s legacy deserved to be remembered in her own right for her professional excellence, conviction and decades of service to women, families and communities.
“She was one of the pioneering Malaysian women doctors of her generation, entering a profession in which few women were represented at the time and going on to break new ground in maternal and child health, public health and rural healthcare,” she said in a statement yesterday.
Wong said Dr Siti Hasmah devoted herself to advancing women’s welfare and development, particularly in rural communities.
She said the late Dr Siti Hasmah also championed family health, children’s welfare, education, mental health and other social causes.
“Through her work and leadership, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah demonstrated that women can excel professionally while using their knowledge, abilities and influence to drive positive change in society,” Wong said.
She said many of the opportunities Malaysian women enjoy today in education, careers, entrepreneurship, leadership and public life had been shaped by generations of women pioneers who opened doors before them.
“Tun Dr Siti Hasmah was one of those trailblazers, and her contributions helped create a wider path for women who came after her,” she said.
Wong said Dr Siti Hasmah’s life was also a reminder that opportunities and influence could be used to uplift others and contribute to society.
Wanita MCA, she added, joined Malaysians in mourning a national figure whose lifetime of service, compassion and dedication would continue to inspire future generations.
Wong also extended her condolences to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, their children and the rest of the family.
