Treasure today, cherish those we love

TUN Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, passed away at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 28, 2026 at the age of 100.

Dr Siti Hasmah will be remembered not only as a pioneering doctor and public health advocate but also as a woman who lived to celebrate her 100th birthday, an achievement that remains relatively rare.

Genetics, access to healthcare, lifestyle and other circumstances can influence how long we live. So, what was the secret to Dr Siti Hasmah’s longevity? Did being a doctor help prolong her life?

Perhaps. Being a doctor may help a person live longer, but it certainly does not guarantee longevity. The advantage lies not in the medical title itself but in the knowledge, habits and access to healthcare that may come with the profession.

Doctors may be better equipped to recognise warning signs of illness, understand the importance of preventive care and seek treatment early. However, they can also experience considerable stress, long working hours, sleep deprivation and emotional exhaustion, all of which may affect their well-being.

While we may never know all the factors that contributed to Dr Siti Hasmah’s long life, she embodied values worth reflecting on, including family, compassion, service to others and remaining engaged with life.

At 100, her life offered several lessons: keeping our families close, serving others, staying mentally and socially active, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and, above all, learning to appreciate each day.

In an interview published in ‘My Name Is Hasmah (2016)’, Dr Siti Hasmah shared her advice for a long life: “Watch your diet, rest well, have a good mental attitude, keep smiling and exercise please.”

She also spoke about the importance of having a happy mind and maintaining a positive attitude.

My friends, people who live to 100 are still relatively rare, although their numbers are growing.

Someone who reaches the age of 100 is known as a centenarian. While living to 100 is unusual, it has become increasingly common in countries with high life expectancy, particularly Japan.

Globally, there are estimated to be several hundred thousand centenarians, representing only a tiny fraction of the world’s population. Their numbers have been increasing as people live longer and benefit from advances in healthcare, improved living conditions and better treatment of diseases that were once frequently fatal.

Women make up a large majority of centenarians, largely because they tend to have higher life expectancy than men.

Reaching 105 or 110 is much rarer. A person aged 110 or older is known as a supercentenarian.

In my immediate family circle, I do not know anyone who has lived to 100. My maternal grandparents died in their late sixties. They were farmers who led hard lives, with much of their time and energy devoted to making a living.

I do not know how long my paternal grandparents lived. They were in Hainan, China, and over the years, we lost touch with our relatives there.

My father died in his early seventies after being ill for a short while, while my mother passed away in her early eighties, having lived what we would describe as a full life.

The quality of life of a centenarian can vary enormously. Reaching 100 does not automatically mean being frail, bedridden or dependent on others. Some centenarians remain remarkably active and socially engaged, while others require substantial daily care.

Until recently, Dr Siti Hasmah and Dr Mahathir, who turned 101 this year, remained active in public life. Their longevity was remarkable, but what touched me most was not simply how long they lived. It was the life they shared.

It was heartbreaking to see Dr Mahathir grieving the loss of his beloved wife as he sat in a wheelchair during her burial. His tears offered a poignant reminder that even a man who has held the highest office in the country is not spared the pain of losing someone he loves.

The couple married on Aug 5, 1956, and spent 70 years together before Dr Siti Hasmah passed away on Sept 28, 2026. Their marriage spanned much of Malaysia’s modern history, encompassing Dr Mahathir’s years as prime minister and their life beyond politics.

They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary just weeks before her passing, marking seven decades of companionship, shared experiences and family life.

After sharing so many decades of life together, their story reminds us that, no matter how old we grow or how much we achieve, losing the person who has walked beside us for so many years is an immeasurable sorrow.

Their journey also reminds us that the true wealth of a long life is not measured by achievements, status or material possessions but by the love we give, the memories we create and the companionship we share with those closest to us. In the end, these simple yet precious things may matter more than anything else.

Watching Dr Mahathir grieve also made me reflect on how easily we take our everyday lives for granted. We become caught up in our routines, responsibilities and worries, often forgetting that the people sitting beside us today may not always be there tomorrow.

Sometimes, we postpone a phone call, put off a family visit or assume there will always be another opportunity to spend time with someone we love. We tell ourselves that there is still plenty of time, but life does not always give us the chance to fulfil those intentions.

Dr Mahathir’s grief reminded me of the importance of valuing each day because every day is a gift we receive only once. We cannot turn back the clock, recover lost time or recreate a moment exactly as it was.

Life is temporary and unpredictable. The people we love, our youth, health, opportunities, possessions and even the ordinary moments we barely notice can change or disappear without warning.

We do not need to live to 100 to understand the value of life, nor do we need to achieve great things to leave a meaningful legacy. Sometimes, being there for our families, showing kindness to others, making time for friends and appreciating the little things are achievements in themselves.

Dr Siti Hasmah’s long life and the love she shared with Dr Mahathir offer us much to reflect on. They remind us that longevity is not simply about counting the years we have lived but also about the relationships we have nurtured and the lives we have touched along the way.

My friends, none of us knows how much time we have left. We can plan for tomorrow, work towards our dreams and hope for many more years with our loved ones, but we cannot take any of it for granted.

So, let us appreciate the people around us while we still have the chance, cherish the moments we share and never assume that there will always be a tomorrow.

For all of us, whether rich or poor, powerful or ordinary, the truth remains the same: Here today, gone tomorrow.

The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at [email protected].