Dr Siti Hasmah to be laid to rest in Putrajaya today [WATCH]

PUTRAJAYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

The government has accorded a State Funeral Ceremony to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in recognition of her status as a revered national figure.

She will be laid to rest at the Heroes’ Mausoleum, also known as Pusara Negara (National Cemetery), located in Precinct 20, Putrajaya.

The decision to grant a state funeral underscores the high regard in which the late Dr Siti Hasmah is held within the Malaysian political and social fabric. As the spouse of a former head of government, her passing marks the end of an era for a figure who has been closely associated with the nation’s political leadership for decades.

The ceremony is designed to allow the public to pay their final respects to a figure who has witnessed and participated in significant periods of Malaysia’s development.

According to the official statement from the Prime Minister’s Department, the logistical arrangements for the funeral were set in motion immediately following her death. Her remains were taken to Masjid As-Syarif in Taman Sungai Besi Indah, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, at 1.30 pm. This location was selected to facilitate final funeral preparations and to provide an opportunity for the public to gather and offer their condolences.

The mosque serves as the central point for the religious rites preceding the burial.

The funeral prayers, or Janazah, are scheduled to be held after the Asar prayers at Masjid As-Syarif. Following the completion of the prayers, the procession will move to the Heroes’ Mausoleum in Putrajaya. The burial is set to take place at 4:30 pm on the same day.

The Heroes’ Mausoleum is a site of national significance, reserved for those who have made exceptional contributions to the country, further highlighting the state’s recognition of Dr Siti Hasmah’s legacy.

In a move to ensure uniformity and respect during the proceedings, the Prime Minister’s Department issued specific dress code guidelines for attendees. These instructions were detailed in the official statement released on Monday. For Muslim men, the requirement is to wear a black national outfit, specifically a baju Melayu, paired with a plain black samping and a black songkok.

Non-Muslim men are advised to wear a dark lounge suit or other appropriate attire that aligns with the solemnity of the occasion.

The guidelines for women are equally precise. Muslim women are requested to wear a dark-coloured baju kurung or a long kebaya, accompanied by a white shawl or headscarf. Non-Muslim women are advised to wear modest dark-coloured clothing, also paired with a white shawl or other appropriate clothing. These directives aim to maintain a cohesive and respectful atmosphere during the state funeral, reflecting the cultural and religious sensitivities of the diverse Malaysian population.

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali died at the age of 100. Her long life and her association with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who served as prime minister for two non-consecutive terms, place her at the center of Malaysia’s modern political history. The state funeral is a formal acknowledgment of her role and the respect she commanded throughout her life.

The ceremony will proceed according to the schedule set by the Prime Minister’s Department, with the public invited to participate in the final rites at the designated locations.

The sequence of events, from the initial announcement of her passing to the final burial at the Heroes’ Mausoleum, reflects the structured and ceremonial nature of state funerals in Malaysia. The involvement of the Prime Minister’s Department in coordinating the logistics, including the transport of remains and the issuance of dress codes, demonstrates the high level of official attention given to the occasion.

The public’s participation in the funeral prayers at Masjid As-Syarif and the subsequent burial in Putrajaya will serve as a collective act of remembrance for a figure who has been a prominent presence in Malaysian public life.