SHAH ALAM, Oct 2 — Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir has appealed to the public to give his father, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, space and time to grieve following the death of his beloved wife, the late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.
At the same time, Mukhriz said he believed it would be better for his father to remain at the National Heart Institute (IJN) for the time being until he has fully recovered.
He said being at the family home was not easy for Dr Mahathir at present, as everything around the house reminded him of his wife and companion of 70 years.
“I think that even if he were at home, everything he sees would remind him of my late mother. So perhaps it is better for him to remain at IJN for now until he has fully recovered.
“He also visited her grave today, which is a positive development,” he was quoted as saying by Astro Awani.
Mukhriz was speaking after a tahlil and Yasin recital for the late Dr Siti Hasmah at Masjid Saidina Umar Al-Khattab in Bukit Damansara yesterday.
According to Mukhriz, his mother’s death continued to weigh heavily on his father, who needed time to come to terms with the loss.
“As we can see, it has not even been a week since Tun Mahathir lost his beloved wife, who had been by his side for 70 years.
“I think what is happening now is, to some extent, a manifestation of his emotional and physical condition,” he said.
Mukhriz also urged all parties to understand what his father was going through and not pressure him to discuss his emotional state.
“I sincerely appeal to everyone, if possible, not to pressure him too much about his emotional state and other matters.
“Imagine if we were in the same situation. We would certainly feel an immense sense of loss too. So please give him some space and time to recover at his own pace,” he said.
Dr Siti Hasmah died at the age of 100 at IJN on September 28, after more than 70 years by Dr Mahathir’s side.
