PUTRAJAYA: Tears flowed as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad visited the grave of his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, at Pusara Negara here, four days after her death.
Accompanied by family members, the former prime minister arrived at 11.05am yesterday and spent about 20 minutes at the grave.
He appeared to be overcome with emotion and shed tears as he remembered his wife of more than seven decades.
About 200 visitors, who were there to pay their respects, gave him space and privacy during the visit, Bernama reported.
Earlier, the couple’s eldest child, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, also visited her mother’s grave.
Among those spotted paying their respects were former national badminton champion Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei, singer Datuk Ramli Sarip and Putrajaya MP Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin.
Speaking to reporters, Lee recalled Dr Siti Hasmah’s concern for the national shuttlers, her words of encouragement after their defeats and her continued support regardless of their results.
“When we won, she would send us congratulatory messages. But when we lost and needed support even more, she never gave up on us,” he said.
“She called or sent a message saying that ‘It’s okay, you’ve tried your best, you played very well, don’t give up, keep going’.
“That is something I will never forget.”
