FORMER prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has acknowledged that he is still struggling to regain his strength following the death of his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, saying he has tried to return to his office but remains unable to do so fully.
“Over the past day or two, I have tried to go to the office, but I am still not quite strong enough,” he said in a statement shared by his special officer through the Dr M’s Media Updates WhatsApp group today.
Mahathir also thanked those who helped with the arrangements for Siti Hasmah’s funeral and members of the public who have continued to offer prayers for her.
“On behalf of the entire family, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make the arrangements for Hasmah’s funeral,” he said.
He said the continued prayers, whether at her grave or elsewhere, had deeply moved him and reminded him to remain grateful to Allah for the many years he had spent with his wife.
Mahathir also apologised to those whose greetings, waves and condolence messages he had been unable to acknowledge during the period of mourning.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise if, during this time, there were greetings I did not return, waves I did not acknowledge, or condolence messages I have yet to respond to. Thank you,” he said.
Siti Hasmah died at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 28 and was laid to rest at the National Heroes’ Mausoleum in Putrajaya the same day in a state funeral ceremony. - October 19, 2026