LATEST: Tun Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali dies at IJN - Mokhzani

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali, the wife of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, died at the Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur this morning, according to a report from Astro Awani.

The report stated that Tun Dr Hasmah breathed her last at the age of 100.

It noted that she is survived by seven children and other family members.

The article described her as one of the most respected women in the country, recognising her contributions to medicine and community service.

It added that members of the public have begun to express condolences and pay tribute to her, viewing her death as a significant loss to the nation.

According to the source, Tun Dr Hasmah was born on 12 July 1926.

The report said she is regarded as a respected Malaysian woman not only because she was the wife of a former prime minister but also due to her own work in the medical field and social welfare.

It highlighted that throughout her life she was the first Malay woman offered the opportunity to continue her medical studies at King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore.

The source mentioned that in 1965 she became the first woman appointed as a Medical Officer in the Maternal and Child Health Division of the Ministry of Health.

It further noted that in 1974 she was appointed as the first woman to hold the position of State Health Officer for Maternal and Child Health.

The article stated that as a former president of the Badan Kebajikan Isteri Menteri dan Timbalan Menteri (BAKTI), she organised various programmes to educate Malaysian teenagers about the dangers of drug abuse.

It said that her work in this area led to an invitation from the former First Lady of the United States, Nancy Reagan, to attend the First Ladies’ Conference on Drug Abuse held in Washington in 1985.

The source also reported that Tun Dr Hasmah remained active in sports, playing badminton competitively until she reached the age of 75.

It explained that her deep interest and long‑term involvement in badminton earned her the reputation of being regarded as a “mother” to the nation’s badminton players.

The report added that she served as a former patron of the Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM) and as a former patron of the Persatuan Tenis Kerusi Roda Malaysia.

According to the source, Tun Dr Hasmah is the first wife of a Malaysian prime minister to receive the Federal Award Seri Setia Mahkota Malaysia (SSM), which carries the title Tun.

This honour marks the final substantive fact presented in the report.

Related: Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) · Tun Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali · Kuala Lumpur