Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr.
Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali
SSM SSDK DUPN SPDK DUNM DA SMK KMN PCK
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| سيتي حسمه محمد علي | |
Siti Hasmah in 2019
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| Spouse of the Prime Minister of Malaysia | |
| In role 10 May 2018 – 24 February 2020 Spouse of the Interim: 24 February - 1 March 2020 |
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| Monarch | Muhammad V Abdullah |
| Prime Minister | Mahathir Mohamad |
| Preceded by | Rosmah Mansor |
| Succeeded by | Noorainee Abdul Rahman |
| In role 16 July 1981 – 31 October 2003 |
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| Monarch | Ahmad Shah Iskandar Azlan Shah Jaafar Salahuddin Sirajuddin |
| Prime Minister | Mahathir Mohamad |
| Preceded by | Suhailah Noah |
| Succeeded by | Endon Mahmood |
| Spouse of the Prime Minister of Malaysia | |
| In role 5 March 1976 – 16 July 1981 |
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| Monarch | Yahya Petra Ahmad Shah |
| Preceded by | Suhailah Noah |
| Succeeded by | Ines Maria Reyna |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Siti Hasmah binti Mohamad Ali
12 July 1926 Klang, Selangor, Federated Malay States, British Malaya |
| Citizenship | Malaysian |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 7 (including Marina, Mokhzani and Mukhriz) |
| Relatives | Ismail Mohd Ali (brother) |
| Alma mater | King Edward VII College of Medicine (MBBS) |
| Occupation | Doctor |
Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah binti Haji Mohamad Ali (born 12 July 1926) is a very important figure in Malaysia. She is married to Mahathir Mohamad, who was the Prime Minister of Malaysia twice. She served as the Spouse of the Prime Minister of Malaysia for almost 24 years, from July 1981 to October 2003, and again from May 2018 to March 2020. She is the oldest person to have held this role.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Siti Hasmah was born on July 12, 1926, in Klang, Selangor. She is from the Malay ethnic group, with family roots from the Minangkabau in Negeri Sembilan. She went to SMK St. Mary for her schooling.
She later studied medicine at the University of Malaya in Singapore. She was one of the first Malay women to study medicine at the King Edward VII College of Medicine (now the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine) after World War II. In 1955, she earned her medical degree (MBBS).
After graduating, she started working for the government health service. She was one of the first Malay women to become a doctor in what was then called Malaya.
In August 1956, she married Mahathir Mohamad. They have seven children: Marina, Mirzan, Melinda, Mokhzani, Mukhriz, Maizura, and Mazhar.
In 1966, she studied public health at the University of Michigan. Ten years later, she became the first woman to be a Medical Officer in the Maternal and Child Health Department. In 1974, she was the first woman to become the State Maternal and Child Health Officer. She also wrote several articles about family health and how life situations affect families in Malaysia.
Siti Hasmah is known for being a kind person. She loves cats and enjoys music.
Role as Prime Minister's Spouse
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When her husband became the Prime Minister in 1981, Siti Hasmah used her position to help others. She worked hard to support women's health, family planning, and adult literacy. She also helped with efforts to prevent people from using harmful substances.
She held many important roles, including:
- President of the Malaysian Girl Guides Association
- Chairman of the Kedah Family Planning Association
- President of the Malaysian Medical Association Foundation
- President of the Association for the Rehabilitation of Handicapped Children
- Vice-President of the Federation of Family Planning Associations of Malaysia
- Patron of the Malaysian Association of Maternal Health and Neonate
- Patron of the Malaysian Pediatric Association
- Patron of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)
As the Patron of the Pan Pacific South Asia Women's Association (PPSEAWA) Malaysia, Siti Hasmah gave speeches at conferences in Tokyo (1984), Bangkok (1991), and Tonga (1994).
She took on the role of the Prime Minister's spouse again when her husband was reappointed on May 10, 2018.
Helping Communities
Supporting Rural Women
Siti Hasmah also worked to help women in rural areas around the world. In 1992, she was invited by Queen Fabiola of Belgium to a special meeting in Geneva. This meeting was for the wives of world leaders to discuss how to help rural women improve their lives. Siti Hasmah was chosen as one of six key leaders from the Asia-Pacific Region.
This meeting was started by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with Queen Fabiola's support. At the end of the meeting, the leaders agreed on the Geneva Declaration on Rural Women. This document helps create plans to improve the lives and well-being of rural women and their families.
At the summit, Siti Hasmah emphasized that "with proper education and training, rural women can help raise literate and productive children who, in turn, can be positive contributors to a nation's growth and prosperity."
In February 1994, Siti Hasmah attended another meeting in Brussels at Queen Fabiola's invitation. Later, in September 1995, she became the Chairperson of a committee focused on helping rural and island women in the Asia Pacific Region. In November 1996, she became the president of the main international committee for this cause.
Focus on Mental Health
As a doctor, Siti Hasmah is also very interested in mental health. Rosalynn Carter, a former First Lady of the United States, invited Siti Hasmah to join a committee of the World Federation of Mental Health.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Siti Hasmah has received many awards for her long public service, volunteer work, and leadership in health, education, and helping people avoid harmful substances.
In 1988, she received the Kazue McLaren Award from the Asia Pacific Consortium for Public Health.
In 1991, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia gave her an Honorary Doctorate in Medical Science. This is a special award given to people who have done great things.
In 1992, the Royal College of Physicians, Ireland, gave her an Honorary Doctorate in Public Health.
In May 1994, Indiana University, Bloomington, gave Siti Hasmah an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. In August of the same year, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Victoria, Canada.
In 2018, Perdana University gave her an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree for her work in women's and community development.
On June 20, 1997, she was appointed as the Chancellor of the Multimedia University (MMU). She also became a patron of MESCORP.
On December 18, 2020, the women's magazine Nona gave Siti Hasmah the Nona Superwoman Award 2020.
Honours and Titles
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia, and leaders from other countries, have given her special titles. In 2003, she received the highest honorary title of Tun, along with her husband, Dr Mahathir, from the King of Malaysia.
The Malaysian AIDS Foundation created the Dr Siti Hasmah Award in 1996. This award celebrates people and groups who have made a big difference in helping with HIV/AIDS in Malaysia.
Malaysian Honours
Malaysia :
Grand Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (SSM) – Tun (2003)
Officer of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (KMN) (1975)
Kedah :
Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Loyalty to the Royal House of Kedah (SSDK) – Dato' Seri (1983)
Companion of the Order of the Crown of Kedah (SMK) (1971)
State of Kedah Distinguished Service Medal (PCK)
Penang :
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DUPN) – Dato' Seri Utama (2003)
Sabah :
Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima (1994)
Malacca :
Knight Grand Commander of the Premier and Exalted Order of Malacca (DUNM) – Datuk Seri Utama (2003)
Selangor :
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (SPMS) – Datin Paduka Seri
Knight Commander of the Order of the Crown of Selangor (DPMS) – Datin Paduka
Sarawak :
Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DA) – Datuk Amar (1996)
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See Also
- Spouse of the Prime Minister of Malaysia
