Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali Dies at 100

Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, a physician and advocate for public health who was married to former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, died at 100 on Monday, her family and Mahathir’s office said. Her death was reported at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur, according to accounts citing the couple’s son, Mokhzani Mahathir, and her family. The cause of death has not been established in the available information. One account said she died after being admitted to the hospital, but the reports provide no further detail about her condition or the circumstances of her death. A time of about 9:25 a.m. was reported in one account and was not given elsewhere. Siti Hasmah was among the first Malay women to become doctors. She studied at King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore and graduated in 1955, according to biographical accounts. Her medical career included work with Malaysia’s Health Ministry, including as a medical officer in several parts of the country. Much of her work focused on public health and maternal and child health. She also used her public role to support causes including family planning, literacy, drug abuse prevention and mental health.