My Name is Hasmah

by Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali

As one of our first female Malay doctors, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali belonged to the generation of Malayans who built an independent nation out of a legacy of colonialism and war. She left government service when her husband Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reached the top of the political hierarchy, but for the next 22 years she was more than the wife of Malaysia’s longest-serving Prime Minister. On the international and local stages she remained a staunch advocate for public health and developmental issues, always engaging the rakyat with her signature grace and humour.

My Name is Hasmah is her account of her upbringing, career in medicine and adventures (and occasional misadventures) as she travelled the world by her husband’s side. This is a story of a woman who juggled multiple roles—doctor, advocate, daughter, sister, wife, mother—as she navigated a life marked by extraordinary circumstances.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir

244 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah binti Haji Mohamad Ali is the wife of the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. She served as wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia for 22 years from 1981–2003.

She is currently the chancellor of the Multimedia University of Malaysia.

Born in Klang, Selangor on 12 July 1926, Siti Hasmah was of Minangkabau descent from Rao, West Sumatera. She obtained her MBBS from the University of Malaya in Singapore. Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah was one of the first Malay women to enroll for a medical course at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore (now the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine) after World War II.

In 1955 she graduated as a medical doctor from the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, which was then located in Singapore. She subsequently joined the government health service. She was one of the first Malay woman doctors in then Malaya. She married Mahathir the following year in August.[2] Their first child, Marina, was born in 1957.

In the 1960s, she attended a public health certificate program in the University of Michigan.

Ten years later, she became the first woman to be appointed Medical Officer in the Maternal and Child Health Department, and in 1974, she was the first woman to be appointed the State Maternal and Child Health Officer.

Siti Hasmah is the author of several articles on family medicine and the socioeconomic factors associated with pregnancy and childbearing in Malaysia.

For her 23 years of public service, her voluntary work, and her leadership in the fields of public health, literacy and drug abuse control, Siti Hasmah has received many honours. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as well as the Sultan of Selangor and the Sultan of Kedah, have bestowed titles upon her.

In 1988, she was awarded the Kazue McLaren Award by the Asia Pacific Consortium for Public Health.

In 1991, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia conferred on her the Honorary Doctorate in Medical Science.

In 1992, the Royal College of Physicians, Ireland, conferred on her the Honorary Doctorate in Public Health.

In May 1994, Indiana University, Bloomington conferred on Siti Hasmah the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, and in August the same year, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

On 20 June 1997 she was appointed as the Chancellor, Multimedia University (MMU) and patrons MESCORP.

In 2003, she was conferred the highest honorary title of Tun along with her husband, Dr Mahathir, by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia.

Reviews

[Limau Nipis]

I love that this is more a personal recollection of Tun Hasmah, rather than about world or political issues, which will be synonym with her if we talked about her husband.

I was pleasantly surprised that this is more towards her memories on her life, growing up as a child, then when she furthered her study in a medical school (which is rare at that time) and later as a doctor, wife and mother.

Yes, it cannot be denied that the political part is integral in this book, but Tun Hasmah's autobiography was so refreshing and her point of view is always interconnected with her feelings and personal recollection.

She was honest, but still maintain the elegance of a lady.

Oh, and happy nonagenarian Tun! (learned that she is 90, this year.. wow amazing).

I am not a fan of auto biography or biography, but this one got me really hooked!

[Shuhada Ramli]

Rating : 3 stars

Review : Sebuah bacaan yang baik dalam bulan kemerdekaan. Saya mengagumi Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah. Tertib rukun kehidupannya. Tiada istilah putus asa dalam mengharungi hidup dari zaman ke zaman. Gigih melunaskan impian kedua ibubapanya supaya ada "seorang doktor di dalam rumah". Antara buku Memoir/Biography terbaik yang saya baca dalam tahun 2019.

This review is from my point of view. We may have different opinions. Feel free to share if there is any.

[anahashim17]

Alhamdulillah, selepas beberapa lama tidak memunculkan diri dalam goodreads(bermakna sudah lama tidak membaca buku), saya mulakan semangat saya dengan menghabiskan sebuah buku biografi "Nama saya Hasmah" versi bahasa malaysia.

Karyanya yang simple, mudah difahami dan terus menusuk ke hati pembaca. Melalui penulisannya, sudah cukup menggambarkan Tun Siti Hasmah merupakan seorang wanita yang cukup merendah diri, bersederhana, bertatasusila dan lemah lembut. Tak dinafikan beliau juga seorang wanita yang amat dikagumi, terutamanya rakyat Malaysia. Sikap tidak mudah putus asa beliau untuk menghabiskan pengajian perubatannya amat saya kagumi.

Terima kasih Tun kerana menjadi sumber inspirasi saya.

[Fuka-chan]

Alhamdulillah dah selesai membaca buku biografi salah satu tokoh yang disegani di Malaysia. Even if you hate her husband, you really can’t deny Dr Hasmah’s credibility. Anyway this is my first biography book, I don’t usually read this genre but for Dr Hasmah I’m making an exception.

1. Great editing! Perjalanan hidup Dr awal, disusun dengan baik. Setiap watak beliau; sebagai anak, doctor, isteri, First Lady, semuanya disusun penuh cantik. Kita dibawa dari awal perjalanan hidupnya, anak Pak Ali yang gigih bekerja, tapi honestly boleh nampak Pak Ali adalah seorang yang agak senang pada waktu itu. Berpeluang bekerja dengan kerajaan (walaupun beliau memang berusaha bersungguh-sungguh dan he deserves it) tapi itu membuka peluang untuk anak-anak beliau dapat hidup yang senang ; hence Dr Hasmah dapat belajar di Singapore as med students. Masa perang Jepun pun beliau agak selesa walaupun ada waktu mereka berkurung di rumah. Dari situ memang dah nampak keluarga Pak Ali adalah upper class society.

2. Bermula sebuah kerjaya sebagai doctor. Apa yang aku nak tekankan ialah Dr Hasmah taklah born-genius; she took 8 years to complete her med school instead of 6. Tapi dia berusaha wei. Dia mengaku tak pandai. Dia mengaku amek subjek 2 kali sebab gagal. Tapi dia berjaya complete. And I feel like I can relate.

3. Chapter yang paling aku suka of course chapter “Sayang” di mana Dr bercerita macam mana mula-mula bercinta dan akhirny berkahwin dgn CheDet. So sweet. Inilah antara sebab aku beli buku ni. Di sini boleh nampak sisi Chedet dari pandangan Dr. Menarik.


Panjang sangat review ni. Akhir kata, tak sia sia beli masa pesta buku 2018 pwtc. Dapat discount dari RM 80 ke RM 65! 🤣🤣

[Nik Nur Adila]

This book is a light read, in the sense that the words used are simpler, the fonts are bigger and the pages are occasionally peppered with Tun Dr Siti Hasmah's photos. The book is divided into several parts, in accordance to the many-many hats that Tun wore, ie as daughter, wife, doctor, mother, the wife to the prime minister and a few more.

It has always interest me as to how a woman can still be accomplished in her own ways, not only as the wife to the prime minister, but also on her own accord, and how she maintains her role, and especially as a mother. This book definitely gives a glimpse to her life and her story is definitely an inspiring one.

I thoroughly enjoy the book, and I do believe this book is worth having on your bookshelves.

[Lila]

Memang banyak yang perlu kita semua lakukan untuk memastikan yang kita bakal mewariskan sebuah planet yang sihat, aman dan makmur kepada generasi-generasi akan datang. Sebagai rakyat Malaysia, kita mesti melakukan perkara yang sama untuk negara kita yang tercinta bak kata pepatah, hujan emas di negeri orang, hujan batu di negeri sendiri, baik lagi di negeri sendiri .” - Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali

Buku ini Lila kasi 5 bintang! Best! Kategori tak boleh letak walaupun berat. Hahaha. Ada banyak gambar dan setiap bab ditulis dengan penceritaaan begitu teliti, dengan ayat yang adakalanya menyentuh hati sampai kita rasa nak menangis dan ada yang sangat mencuit hati sampai kita ketawa terkekeh kekeh. Sangat recommended untuk anda semua miliki dan baca!

[Rehan Abd Jamil]

Such a wonderful, humble and lovely lady. May Allah bless her with long youthful years ahead..

[Shahin&Buku]

Saya amat terkilan kerana saya baru membaca buku ini selepas ketiadaan Tun Siti Hasmah. Semoga Allah merahmati beliau dan mengampunkan dosanya.

Ini merupakan satu buku yang sangat menarik bagi saya. Saya hanya mengambil masa sehari untuk menghabiskan keseluruhan buku. Walaupun ianya sebuah buku kisah perjalanan beliau, ianya ditulis dengan cukup baik. Langsung tidak bosan membacanya.

Terdapat banyak kisah tentang pengalaman beliau menjadi seorang doktor dan isteri Perdana Menteri. Semasa zaman Tun Mahathir menjadi Perdana Menteri, saya masih kecil lagi dan kurang mengambil tahu tentang isu politik.

Pada usia saya kini, kehidupan politik Tun Mahathir bersama isteri beliau dapat difahami dengan lebih mudah melalui pembacaan buku ini. Lebih daripada kisah politik, saya sangat tertarik dengan peranan Tun Siti Hasmah sebagai seorang isteri dan ibu yang menguruskan keluarganya walaupun mereka sibuk dengan urusan negara.

Semua orang patut cuba membaca buku ini. Saya sangat terinspirasi dengan kisah beliau. Yang baik, kita ambil sebagai pengajaran. Moga pahala daripada ilmu yang dikongsikan, Allah berikan kepada Tun Siti Hasmah di alam sana. Aamiin.

[Nuruddin Azri]

Pada asalnya, aku membaca buku ini untuk mengenali dengan lebih dekat, sosok Tun Mahathir dari sudut pengurusan rumah tangga selain melihat “dari dalam” bagaimana liku-liku perjalanan hidup mereka berdua sewaktu mempelajari ilmu perubatan di Singapura (saat itu, karier ini merupakan karier terhormat) dan asam garam dalam menempuh alam rumah tangga itu sendiri.

Tidak disangka-sangka, naskhah kulit keras terbitan 2016 ini menjadi sebuah pembacaan autobiografi selama empat hari yang mengujakan dari sudut pandang seorang isteri tokoh politik tanah air Malaysia yang paling lama – Tun Mahathir.

Buku ini ditulis saat usia Dr. Hasmah mencecah 90 tahun dan secara umumnya, ia memuatkan refleksi dan memori Dr. Hasmah dari saat perkenalan beliau dengan Tun Mahathir, detik-detik percintaan, membina rumah tangga, saat-saat berkhidmat dalam sektor kesihatan awam, pengalaman mengembara hampir 90% belahan dunia, Kejohanan Piala Thomas 1992, kempen “War is a Crime”, sehinggalah saat usia tua mereka berdua mencecah 90 tahun.

Dr. Hasmah dibesarkan dalam keluarga kelas pertengahan atas. Beliau pada asalnya berminat untuk menjadi seorang jurnalis tetapi akhirnya membuat keputusan untuk menyambung bidang perubatan setelah melihat ibunya dijangkiti penyakit kolera sewaktu Era Pendudukan Jepun.

Sewaktu mendalami bidang perubatan di University of Malaya, Singapura, beliau terpaksa mengulang tahun pengajian sebanyak dua kali (tahun pertama dan tahun ketiga) menjadikan jumlah keseluruhan tempoh pengajiannya menelan masa selama lapan tahun. Beliau satu-satunya wanita Melayu daripada 50 orang pelajar dalam jurusan itu manakala Tun Mahathir merupakan salah seorang daripada tujuh orang jejaka Melayu pada waktu itu. Dr. Hasmah banyak diajar oleh Tun Mahathir lalu mereka berdua menjadi rapat pada kemudiannya.

Tun Mahathir merupakan seorang pemalu. Pada satu saat, Tun Mahathir meletakkan “scrabble” lalu meminta Dr. Hasmah melengkapkan aksara yang hilang pada ayat itu sehingga menjadi lafaz “I LOVE YOU”. Dr. Hasmah pula merupakan seorang yang jujur sehingga terdapat beberapa sisi lelucon diselitkan dalam buku ini yang mampu membuatkan pembaca melirikkan senyuman panjang. Pada satu sudut yang lain, ayah Dr. Hasmah sangat menekankan pendidikan dan sering kali mengingatkan Dr. Hasmah untuk menamatkan pengajian terlebih dahulu sebelum mendirikan rumah tangga.

Dipendekkan cerita, mereka akhirnya berkahwin walaupun pada awalnya pernah timbul sedikit perselisihan dalam keluarga. Tun Mahathir kemudiannya pernah membuka klinik swasta sendiri iaitu Klinik Dr. Maha di Jalan Tunku Ibrahim, Alor Setar pada 1957. Beliau minat ke arah politik dan menjadikan Tun Razak sebagai idola dan mentor terutamanya atas sumbangan besar Tun Razak dalam membangunkan kawasan luar bandar. Tun Razak bertarung dengan penyakit leukemia dan pemergiannya pada 1976 merupakan detik yang sukar buat Tun Mahathir.

Sebagai seorang insan, Tun Mahathir juga menghidap penyakit kencing manis, asma dan masalah jantung. Beliau pernah menjalani pembedahan “bypass” jantung sebanyak dua kali. Saat diuji dengan serangan jantung pada tahun 2007 itu, beliau berasa sangat lemah, dihurung depresi dan hampir putus asa dalam kehidupan.

Dr. Hasmah pula cenderung ke arah kesihatan awam. Dr. Hasmah berkhidmat dalam sektor kesihatan awam (HO di HKL, MO di Alor Setar, Jitra, Kubang Pasu, Bangsar) sehingga pencen (1955-1979) sebelum menjadi pensyarah separuh masa di UM untuk tempoh dua tahun dan kemudiannya menyokong karier politik Tun Mahathir setelah Tun Mahathir menjadi Menteri Pendidikan, Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan Perdana Menteri.

Dr. Hasmah minat dalam memberikan kesedaran kepada masyarakat terhadap kesihatan, merawat masyarakat di pedalaman, memberi kesedaran tentang kepentingan sains moden – peri penting melahirkan anak di hospital, sumbangan vaksin dalam membendung penularan penyakit global seperti polio, whooping cough, tibi dalam kalangan kanak-kanak, tetanus, smallpox dll.

Beliau turut minat terhadap sukan badminton sehingga pernah mengalami kecederaan ligamen pada bahu kanan dan menjalani pembedahan melalui “arthroscopy” untuk membaiki ligamen yang koyak itu. Tambahan lagi, beliau bertarung dengan masalah penglihatan mata yang semakin merosot, osteoporosis, kecederaan ligamen pada bahu kiri dan kecederaan meniscus pada lutut.

Selain itu, beliau juga berbakat dalam bermain violin. Mereka berdua pernah menganjurkan sebuah konsert dan hasil keuntungan konsert itu disumbangkan untuk Pusat Kajian Kanser dan disalurkan kepada pesakit-pesakit talasemia, Alzheimer dan autisme.

Menurut beliau, empat perkara yang membuatkan rumah tangga mereka kekal bahagia berpanjangan ialah; i) Percaya, ii) Cinta dan ambil berat saat susah-senang, iii) Pelihara imej-integriti pasangan dan iv) Berkongsi tanggungjawab sebagai ibu bapa.

Bab yang paling menyayat hati dalam buku ini adalah ketika Dr. Hasmah menceritakan saat beliau bertemu dengan mangsa yang terselamat dari pengeboman di Hiroshima dan Nagasaki iaitu Sumiteru Taniguchi. Saat pengeboman nuklear di Jepun itu, Taniguchi berusia 16 tahun, merupakan seorang posmen yang sedang mengayuh basikal untuk menghantar surat. Keseluruhan belakang badan beliau terbakar sehingga terpaksa dimasukkan ke hospital selama tiga tahun. Dalam tempoh itu juga beliau terpaksa mengiring dan meniarap lama untuk proses penyembuhan dan membuat “flap” dari kulit dadanya.

Kata Dr. Hasmah, perang adalah suatu jenayah. Pemimpin yang memberikan butang hijau pada perang merupakan seorang penjenayah dan harus dibicarakan di mahkamah antarabangsa. Perang bukan sahaja meninggalkan kesan fizikal yang mendalam pada seseorang individu, malahan ia juga meninggalkan parut serta trauma pada mental seseorang – termasuklah genosid di Syria, Iraq, Gaza dan negara-negara lain.

[Diya Nordin]

Menekuni buku; nama saya Hasmah. Aku sebenarnya sentiasa tersenyum melihat pengalaman wanita yang menjadi bonda dan nenda rakyat Malaysia ini.
.
Aku seperti di bawa ke zaman dahulu. Melalui detik kesukaran yang dia lalui. Mengutip setiap pengalamannya.
.
Tersenyum.
Menangis.
Ketawa.
.
Semuanya bersatu menjadi satu.
Worth reading and worth the monies I spend.

[Kamalia Kamalia]

Perjalanan hidup zaman bujang Tun bersama keluarganya dan zaman beliau menjadi pegawai perubatan lebih menarik berbanding zaman beliau menjadi isteri Perdana Menteri.

[Nor Azzah]

Nama Saya Hasmah" telah diterbitkan oleh Karangkraf pada tahun 2018. Buku tulisan Tun Dr Hasmah ini merupakan sebuah autobiografi yang berkisar kepada kehidupan Tun Siti Hasmah sejak kecil dan boleh mengingat hinggalah usianya menganjak ke usia 90 tahun.

Buku ini menimbulkan rasa kagum saya kepada semangat ayah Dr Hasmah, yang digelar Pak Ali, seorang ketua kerani di Jabatan Kesihatan, Klang, gigih memastikan anak-anaknya mendapat pendidikan dengan sempurna. Malah, bagi membangkitkan motivasi kepada anak-anaknya, beliau sendiri turut belajar secara separuh masa, dengan mengikuti kursus jarak jauh di Pitman's College. Beliau turut merelakan anak perempuannya belajar ke tempat yang jauh sedangkan ketika itu tidak ramai anak perempuan yang ke sekolah.

Ketelitian ibunya dalam mendokumentasikan sejarah keluarga turut menjadi suatu amalan yang menarik perhatian saya. Mencatatkan kelahiran dan kematian, bila, disebabkan apa, si helaian belakang Al-Quran, suatu amalan yang saya kira jarang dibuat orang.

Gaya penulisan Dr Hasmah yang bersahaja dan santai, dan sesekali diselitkan dengan kisah-kisah kelakar di sebalik kehidupan mereka yang padat dengan acara-acara rasmi turut membuat saya tergelak-gelak kecil ketika membacanya. Contohnya ketika beliau merasa gusar penglihatannya yang semakin kabur, fikirnya kerana peningkatan usia. Beliau merasa sedih. Namun sebenarnya beliau tertukar cermin mata dengan Dr Mahathir.

Biarpun buku ini merupakan karya terjemahan daripada buku "My Name is Hasmah", tulisannya lancar dan tidak kelihatan kaku. Muka suratnya yang hanya 280 muka surat pastinya tidak dapat memuatkan semua kisah sepanjang kehidupan Dr Hasmah, namun ia sangat menarik kerana dihidangkan dengan foto-foto berwarna yang mana sebahagiannya merupakan foto dari album keluarga yang tidak pernah disiarkan di mana-mana. Selain itu, kita didedahkan dengan kisah-kisah yang berlaku di sebalik tabir seorang isteri Perdana Menteri.

Membaca buku ini menimbulkan kesedaran mengenai keperitan Dr Hasmah untuk menamatkan pengajian perubatannya, sumbangan-sumbangan beliau kepada masyarakat ketika bertugas sebagai Dr dan kepentingan ilmu dalam menyiapkan diri sebagai isteri seorang ketua negara.

Sebagai pembaca, kita mungkin tidak akan menjadi Perdana Menteri atau isteri seorang Perdana Menteri, namun semangat untuk berjaya dalam hidup, percubaan berkali-kali, ketekunan untuk berjaya, selain menanamkan kesediaan untuk mempelajari sesuatu yang baharu, dapat menjadi tip untuk mencapai kejayaan.

Membaca memerdekakan minda. Teruslah membaca, minda kita akan terus terbuka dan merdeka.

[Mourisham Jose]

An enjoyable read about a great lady who is taking care of a great man who is taking care of the nation. Whether as a daughter, a medical student, a doctor, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and now a nonagenarian, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah is a role model to all. It is refreshing the way Tun Dr Siti Hasmah described Tun Dr Mahathir who apart from a strict disciplinary, intelligent man with laser like focus, is a shy person and who does not like to show his affection towards his wife in public. But perhaps more important, the lessons can be learned from the first couple are the importance of values such as education, hard work, family, integrity, respect, patience and humility. Book number 22 for the year and worth having it in everyone's bookshelves.

[Alimie Liman]

Let me be honest. I haven't had the time to finish reading any books and when I bought this book, I didn't think the situation will be different. HOWEVER, once I flipped and took a peek inside, I'm drawn to the world inside it! The way Dr Hasmah narrates the selected stories gives readers the 'feel' they need to enjoy the witty and never-told-before stories of a great lady. I feel deeply connected to the stories as if it was being played before my eyes as Dr Hasmah writes with passion and truly from heart. Took 2 days to finish this book which I considered a great challenge accomplished - thanks to the stories that are inspiring and forever appreciated!

[Hanis Maisarah]

Not a fan of biography books but this one sure got me hook from the first page. I really enjoy the book and it really shows how inspiring she is as a person especially as a great respectable woman. Love how she can be transparent but still keeping it modest and fun to read yet able to gives me a better insights about her life and perspectives.

[Najwa Azrin]

Banyak titisan air mata jatuh ke bumi setelah mengetahui khabar pemergian Tun Hasmah pada 28/9/2026, 10 tahun setelah beliau menyiapkan karya biografinya yang cukup indah ini.

Liku-liku kehidupan yang diceritakan sejak beliau kecil membesar di bandar Klang sehinggalah beliau sambung belajar dalam bidang perubatan di Universiti Malaya, Singapura bertemu dengan kekasih hatinya di sana yakna Tun Mahathir, disambung dengan meneruskan tugasnya sebagai seorang doktor perubatan di Kedah, membesarkan 5 orang anak kandung dan 2 orang anak angkat.

Saya cukup terkesan dengan cerita almarhumah berkenaan arwah ibu bapanya yang sangat mementingkan pendidikan untuk meneruskan kehidupan. Lagi satu yang buatkan saya rasa kagum dengan beliau adalah berkenaan keyakinan untuk menyatakan war is crime. Beliau tidak segan silu menceritakan semua pengalaman yang beliau hadapi contohnya kisah berhadapan dengan tentera Israel di sempadan Mesir bagi menyalurkan bantuan kepada rakyat Palestin di Gaza.

[daddy del]

When I read this book I felt the warmth of a grandmother telling her grandkids stories and life lessons. It is not a political book in my opinion, it is more towards her life and times aging up to becoming 90. It is a lot different to her husband's autobiography, which is highly political (and understandably so). I love how there is pieces of painted/drawn artwork spread throughout the chapters in the book, it gives a lighter and colorful touch. Her stories and anecdotes are funny and at a level of personal where you need to read it to know. She brought me back in time to the 60s, 70s, 80s, & 90s with her writings. I love how I felt like I was living in those eras while reading this book, even when I could not imagine how it was really like. She inspires me to find a wife like her; diligent, wise, patient, understanding, strong.

There are so many useful information that made me understand better between the rural vs city. Her frontal progression towards the welfare of women in Malaysia made my eyes open on how important it is still, education for women.

Here are my favorite quotes from the book:

Pg 12 - If you educate a son, you educate an individual. If you educate a daughter, you educate a nation.

Pg 12 - We would not be easily converted if we had proper guidance in Islam.

Pg 39 - We will always be the children of our parents, regardless of how old we are and whether or not they are still around.

Pg 95 - A husband is more than just the father of your children. He should also be your companion in life and someone can guide you.

Pg 97 - In Islam you cannot go beyond three days without talking to your spouse.

Pg 102 - When a patient loses hope like that, they have reached a very dangerous point. He fell into depression for a while and couldn't stand all the doctors and even the dietician being around him. I told him to hang on. I found a picture of him that had been taken when he was in good health and I showed it to him. I told him that this was the man I had brought to the hospital and that this was the man I wanted to bring home.

Pg 103 - It can be difficult to take care of Mahathir. When I tell him to call the doctor he'll say nanti dulu. The moment he feels well, off he goes. He starts travelling again. It's Sarawak one day, Penang the next. Recently we had to cancel a trip to Riyadh because he was ill. The doctors orders were to rest at home for four days but did my husband listen? No! Boring dia cakap. He wanted to go to work. Degil.

Pg 119 - What to do in an emergency: Give the people around you tasks to keep them busy.

Pg 142 - A prime minister can tell you which news publication sends the toughest journalists to a press conference. Parents on the other hand know that the most difficult questions in life often come from their own children.

Pg 165 - Indeed it doesn't matter if you are a doctor or a minister or a minister's wife. If you are humble, the people will accept you.

Pg 172 - When husbands saw what their wives had achieved they would usually follow.

Pg 201 - After decades of marriage, there's not much about your spouse that is likely to shock you.

Pg 210 - People have expressed how handsome my husband still looks at age 90. I wish I could see this and compare what I see with the 22 year old student I fell in love with 70 years ago.

Pg 212 - Some friendships are transient while others are everlasting. Whatever tinge nature of our friendships, we value them because it is through friendships that we find much joy and comfort.

Pg 213 - No living creature created by the Almighty Allah can live alone. All human beings from babies to senior citizens need friends.

Pg 220 - A civilized person has some education which enables thought, judgement, and the ability to recognize and choose right from wrong. A civilized person has conscience and respects other human beings regardless of gender, creed, age, or colour.

Pg 225 - The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (Confucius)

[Azie Sajaeei]

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

My Name is Hasmah

Rate: 5🌟🙌🏻

“Some friendships are transient while others are everlasting. Whatever the nature of our friendships, we value them because it is through friendships that we find much joy and comfort✨”

“If you educate a son, you educate an individual; if you educate a daughter, you educate a nation.”

“We will always be the children of our parents, regardless of how old we are and whether or not they are still around🤍”

Thoughts 💭

- I ENJOY THIS BIBLIOGRAPHY SO MUCH♥️ We get to know her in person through this book. Throughout this book,we can see that she is a very humble person. The way she plays her role as daughter,sister,wife and mother is just so inspiring.

- If you wanna read a fun bibliography, please pick this one! I’ve read A Doctor In The House (Mahathir) but I would say that Hasmah’s is a light reading compared to Mahathir’s😅

- Oh and also despite all the fun and cuteness, she also portrayed how she took education very seriously and the way she advices on marriage,friendships and the life itself. She is a very lovable person♥️

I must say, she is ICONIC! And thank you @pustakaswk for bringing in great books for us readers to borrow and in a way, saved our wallets😅

[Hasanah]

Little that I know the first Malay Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia is the brother of Tun Hasmah.

At first, I had the impression that Hasmah must be very smart due to her parents' emphasis on education. However, being ordinary, she actually took 8 years instead of 6 years to complete her study in medicine.

I love her personality, and I even love the examples of strong relationship Hasmah and Mahathir have shown through their 70 years of marriage. I think it must be the same for Anwar and Azizah. Old couples know well of the ingredients on how to last love to the end :)

It is a good insight of what life looks like as a Prime Minister's wife, however I feel increasingly uncomfortable towards the end as the story builds on in which her family is growing. Coz it is exactly the same time when Mahathir sacked Anwar and a lot of issues were raised. They seem to live so happily despite all the political fights and suffering felt by others.. which is something perhaps we should not overthink about it.

[Syafiqa]

I absolutely love love love this book. Even in writing she sounds so humble, such an amazing woman.
I love that she writes so openly and sincerely about her experience as a doctor, about her poor eyesight, her relationship with husband and family, and even on her fashion mishap. ❤
She even touch on the subject of her adopted children and her thoughts of the recent political situation.
The photos and illustration are great. This book just makes me love her even more. May Allah grant her peace this world and hereafter.

[Amelia Zulkifli]

Saya suka baca buku jenis biografi dan memoir sebegini. Buku ni bacaan santai untuk kita lebih memahami dan ada sedikit sebanyak pengetahuan tentang kehidupan seorang first- lady Malaysia. Tun Dr Siti Hasmah seorang yang bijak, sangat memberi inspirasi khususnya golongan wanita. Tak dapat disangkal lagi, dia telah memberi pengaruh yang sangat kuat dalam menyokong kerjaya dan perjuangan suami nya.

[Fathiyyah]

inspiring

[bookmehnia]

(57/2026) 5/5🌟 Autobiography (Non-Fiction) | 244 pages

“𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙨𝙞𝙖, 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝘿𝙧 𝙃𝙖𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙝. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝘿𝙧 𝙃𝙖𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙝, 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 “𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙠 𝙋𝙖𝙠 𝘼𝙡𝙞 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙠𝙧𝙖𝙥”. 𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 — 𝙨𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣, 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙘𝙩 — 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 “𝙈𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙮”, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮. 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 “𝘽𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙖” (𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧) 𝙗𝙮 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮, 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 “𝙆𝙖𝙠 𝙃𝙖𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙝” (𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙨 𝙆𝙖𝙠 ‘𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙝’) 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨; “𝙆𝙖𝙠” 𝙤𝙧 “𝙆𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙠” 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧.”

Right around 10.00am this morning, I think the whole of Malaysia went into silent shock and disbelief moment for a second - some even thought it was a hoax or a fake news, because we had not heard of her being hospitalised. It was not until all the major news outlet began posting the confirmed and devastating news that our heart began to tremble. How could all this be true?

We are so used to see them as a pair, and not be able to do so anymore had never crossed our minds. They have somehow become symbols that our country is standing strong. We are not going to get used to a new view, and seeing all the images and videos of the other half who is left behind circulating on the net, how can we not break ourselves too?

I was quickly reminded of her autobiography that I have read a couple of years before. I think I still remember during the time it was newly published, I was begging my husband that I wanted a copy. I remember buying the book at MPH (except I don’t remember which branch 😅) and the price was RM80.

Today, I picked up the book again and reread everything, cover to cover. Despite haven’t been reopened for a few years, it still had that musky paper fragrance from each page turning. Reading the dedication page and I started bawling - which reminded me of why I enjoyed this the first time I read it.

In this book, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah shared with us the glimpses of her life - from the past to present; from when she was a young little girl until she became “Tun Dr Siti Hasmah”, the chronological anecdotes of how she pursued medicine as a career, how she was courted and then later married Tun Dr Mahathir, her life as the wife to a Prime Minister and a retiree.

As a visual reader, I immensely enjoyed the layout of every single page. There are colourful pictures, old and new photos, drawings, charts, tables, quote pages, big fonts, readable and easy to the eyes kind of fonts, clear headings and subtitles. The creative and graphic department for this should get a raise just for this!

And the storytelling. I don’t know if any of you did know her personally, because I didn’t. However, we could always watch her interviews, videos and I don’t know what do you think but I was always mesmerised listening to her speaking. She has this very motherly tone, so soft and graceful. It felt like listening to your mother or grandmother telling a story, and that was how I felt reading through this autobiography. It felt like she was in front of you sharing with you about her life. If only we could have this as an audiobook 😢.

One thing for sure, she had lead a wonderful, though not smoothsailing, ride through her journey of life. Seeing her as how she was, I understand now that it all came from a strict background growing up. Her father was someone who saw education as an important tool for her to build a future at the time when it was such a taboo for women to go into higher learning. It was because the nurture came from the spirit and motivation of her own father himself, who was also such a high-spirited, ambitious and driven himself. Just look at the background of Tun Siti Hasmah’s siblings, they were so impressive!

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah had also taught me that it is never too late to start new things that we love and could enjoy, reading that she learned a new language at 70 and played the violin again after leaving it for so long. She also made me reflected on my roles as a wife and a mother, and the impacts that we could leave on our family members. And I particularly enjoyed reading all her anecdotes when she was doing diplomatic visits especially the ones to North Korea and Iraq. She was truly a courageous lady, a match for her beloved husband, Tun Dr Mahathir.

Rereading this after watching all the the news certainly gave a different feeling, because we knew that the storyteller is no longer around. However, one thing for sure is that, her story will live on forever. People who come from my generation probably was hit harder today because we particularly growing up watching them. We have gone through decades with them.

May Allah bless upon your soul, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah. Al-Fatihah.

#justreaddontbawang #bookmehnia #September2026 #2026reads #SeptemberTBRs #bookstagrammalaysia #bookstagrammy #malaysiamembaca #bookstagrammer #bookgram #bibliophile #bibliophilemy #bookish #bookaddict #bookaesthetic #readersofinstagram #goodreads #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookworm #mynameishasmah #drsitihasmahmohdali #tundrsitihasmah

[Hamidah Effendi]

📖 Nama Saya Hasmah – Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali

Kisah seorang wanita biasa yang melalui kehidupan luar biasa.

Buku ini membawa pembaca menyelami sisi lain seorang tokoh wanita negara yang sering berada di belakang tabir—Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, isteri kepada Perdana Menteri Malaysia ke-4 (dan ke-7), Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

Bukan sekadar memoir, buku ini adalah cerminan sebuah kehidupan dari kecil hingga ke penghujung usia, diwarnai dengan pengalaman zaman penjajahan Jepun, perjalanan akademik, percintaan, perkahwinan, kerjaya, keluarga dan dunia politik.


---

🌟 Apa yang Menarik dalam Buku Ini?

✅ Zaman Penjajahan Jepun
– Kita dibawa menghayati kehidupan Tun Hasmah semasa zaman sukar ini – bagaimana keluarga beliau bertahan, nilai ketabahan, kebijaksanaan ayah beliau dan daya hidup yang kuat.

✅ Percintaan dan Perkahwinan dengan Tun M
– Ada sisi lucu, manis dan menyentuh hati. Adegan seperti “tersalah cermin mata” atau gaduh kecil masa belajar cukup mencuit hati. Hubungan mereka yang mesra digambarkan melalui perspektif isteri, menjadikan Tun M kelihatan lebih "manusia" dan menyenangkan.

✅ Perbezaan Cara Didikan & Gaya Pengurusan
– Buku ini membuka mata tentang bagaimana dua individu hebat dengan cara tersendiri membina keluarga, mendidik anak-anak, dan kekal bersama dalam dunia yang serba mencabar.

✅ Pesanan tentang Perkahwinan
– “Kasut kita berbeza, cara berjalan pun berbeza” – metafora indah yang menggambarkan hakikat dalam rumah tangga. Buku ini bukan saja kisah hidup, tetapi juga penuh nasihat dan refleksi berguna.

✅ Kehidupan sebagai Isteri Perdana Menteri
– Dari kaca mata beliau, kita faham lebih dalam tentang tugas seorang wanita di sisi pemimpin negara. Tidak mudah, tapi dilakukan dengan penuh dedikasi dan rendah hati.

✅ Anak-anak, Persahabatan & Penjelajahan Dunia
– Buku ini juga bercerita tentang anak-anaknya, rakan-rakan, serta lawatan ke pelbagai negara – satu catatan tentang bagaimana wanita Malaysia boleh berdiri sama tinggi dengan masyarakat antarabangsa.

✅ Harapan & Kepentingan Menulis, Membaca & Komunikasi
– Hayatnya, kita boleh lihat Tun Hasmah mempamerkan tentang kepentingan ilmu dan komunikasi, serta harapannya agar generasi muda mementingkan pendidikan dalam kehidupan dan menghargai sejarah hidup.


---

📌 Kenapa Buku Ini Wajib Dibaca?

Memberi inspirasi luar biasa dari wanita yang kelihatan lembut tetapi sangat kuat.

Menyentuh banyak aspek kehidupan – keluarga, cinta, kerjaya, pendidikan dan nilai moral.

Menjadi dokumen sejarah hidup seorang tokoh penting negara yang selama ini hanya kita lihat di sisi suaminya.

Ditulis dengan gaya yang jujur, mesra dan bersahaja – buat pembaca rasa dekat dengan beliau.

Mengajar kita bahawa kejayaan bukan bermakna memiliki segalanya, tetapi bagaimana kita mengurus apa yang kita ada dengan penuh hikmah.



---

✨ Kesimpulan

“Nama Saya Hasmah” adalah kisah tentang wanita, perjuangan, cinta dan kehidupan yang penuh makna. Di sebalik gelaran isteri Perdana Menteri, Tun Hasmah adalah simbol keteguhan, keikhlasan dan kebijaksanaan. Buku ini membuatkan kita tersenyum, ketawa, sebak dan insaf – semuanya dalam satu naskhah.

Ia bukan sekadar buku, tapi sebuah warisan cerita yang akan terus hidup. 🌸

[nazhsahaja]

Rasa seronok membaca pengalaman dari mereka yang bukan sezaman dengan kita. Melihat Tun SH melalui zaman kanak-kanak ketika era pemerintahan British, melalui zaman penjajahan Jepun ketika remaja, melalui zaman merdeka ketika mahasiswa dan pos merdeka ketika menjadi doktor masyarakat. Jarang-jarang kita jumpa 'real footage' awal abad ke 20 di Tanah Melayu yang dirakamkan dimana-mana (apatah lagi pengalaman secara peribadi yang diceritakan oleh tuan punya badan). Ini adalah sesuatu yang emas.

Melangkah ke titik hidupnya yang paling penting iaitu ketika menjadi first lady Malaysia, Tun SH secara bersahaja berkongsi pengalaman-pengalaman hidupnya sebagai isteri seorang 'legendary' Mahathir, tergambar jelas beliau bukan sahaja wanita yang bijak, cerdas tapi isteri yang sangat setia menopang kuat bahu suami kala diperlukan. Sehingga terfikir, hanya akan kemanakah Mahathir tanpa Hasmah disisi?

Melihat Tun SH masih bertahan meniti hari-hari tuanya di saat kawan-kawannya satu persatu meninggal dunia buat hati jadi sayu, apatah lagi membayangkan jika satu hari nanti pasangan suami isteri ini nanti akan meninggalkan satu sama lain. Membaca biografi ini disaat penulisnya masih lagi hidup di umur 96 tahun adalah sesuatu yang sangat merindingkan roma. Semoga Allah merahmati seluruh hidupnya.

Tak puas membaca hingga muka terakhir, seperti menghantar isyarat bahawa begitulah hidup; hanya singkat sehingga jalan hidup insan berumur 90an ini pun siap dicerita dalam hanya buku berjumlah 244 muka surat.

[Reena]

Can you believe... that i read this book with a smile 😂
.
There are so many funny stories in this book that Tun Hasmah shares. About her childhood, zaman dijajah Jepun, kesusahan menghabiskan pelajaran, perkenalan dengan Tun Mahathir (@chedetofficial 💕), perjalanan cinta, bekerja sebagai doktor di GHKL, berkahwin dan banyaklah lagi cerita suka-duka yang dilalui oleh Tun Hasmah dari luahan hatinya
.
Bila baca buku ni terasa macam Tun Hasmah sendiri bercerita depan-depan 💕(oh... by the way... she love people calling her by name of Hasmah rather than Siti)
.
Ayat yang digunakan pun santai, ada Bahasa Inggeris campur dengan Bahasa Melayu, cuma ada beberapa english term yang pada kita tahap tertinggi kot 😂 Contoh macam perkataan ‘adolescent’ rupanya ‘teenager’. Lepas tu, ‘extra-terrestrial’ mak aihhh... what was that? 😮 Rupanya ‘alien’ laa... Hadoiii... baru ku tau! But don’t worry, it’s kind of fun sebenarnya sebab banyak perkataan baru yang boleh kita belajar. So, it’s part of learning jugaklah kan. Hehe
.
Selain tu, macam mana kita tengok gaya soft-spoken, humble dan ‘cute’ Tun Hasmah di tv. Ye, macam tulah jugak gaya dia bercerita di buku ini. She’s a kind of positive person, cool and of course a bit of funny 😘
.
Tq so much Tun Hasmah for this book. Serius tak rugi pun beli. Anyway we love you Tun Hasmah 💕 (always!)

[Vida Ariff]

Buku yang saya pilih untuk dibaca pada pagi pemergian Allahyarham Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah.
Secara peribadi, perasaan saya bercampur-baur ketika membaca buku ini. Ia terasa begitu dekat di hati. Membacanya umpama mendengar Tun bercerita dari mulutnya sendiri. Bagai terngiang-ngiang di telinga.

Kisah beliau dari kecil sehinggalah usia beliau menginjak usia 89 tahun (ketika buku ini ditulis), diceritakan dengan ayat-ayat yang mudah dan lancar. Lahir dalam keluarga yang mempunyai adik-beradik yang ramai, kesemua mereka mendapat peluang belajar tanpa mengira jantina. Prinsip ayahnya yang tegas dan mahu anak-anaknya belajar, adalah sesuatu yang tidak selalu berlaku pada zaman tersebut.

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah menjadi wanita Selangor yang pertama bergelar doktor perubatan di Malaya. Kisah suka duka beliau sepanjang bergelar doktor perubatan, seronok dibaca dan mengundang rasa kagum dan hormat yang tinggi.

Sudah tentu figura Tun Dr. Mahathir tidak dapat dipisahkan daripada hidup Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah. Banyak diceritakan dari detik perkenalan hinggalah bergelar isteri kepada pemimpin no 1 negara.

Pemergian Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah adalah satu kehilangan besar. Buku ini harus dibaca dalam menelusuri kisah suka duka beliau. Al-Fatihah buat serikandi negara yang dicintai.

[Gentlerosa]

An easy and not-too-heavy read. I bought the book as I was mostly curious about her. The book depicts her tale of how she became a medical officer and the life she led as a mother to her children while being the wife of the longest-serving statesman in Malaysia. I think her affinity with the rakyat (people), and her humbleness when meeting with them, stemmed from her having served as a doctor in the rural areas. She also spoke about the role she played in supporting her very prominent husband - how she conducted herself in the limelight but not being in the spotlight, lest she takes the highlight away from her Prime Minister husband. What I found interesting in the book was her reasoning for not supporting home childbirth. Coming from the angle of a medical officer, it made perfect sense as the duty of a doctor is foremost, the preservation of human life. The book also touches on her humanitarian work as well as causes she champions. In short, think of it as your grandmother telling you stories about the time she grew up, what she did in her life, her beliefs, her hopes, her displeasure and her advice to you - all told in a ladylike manner.

[uKanera arenaKu]

“My Name Is Hasmah” is a poignant and moving musical narrative that weaves the tapestry of Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah’s life. It’s a harmonious composition of grace, resilience, and quiet fortitude, penned in the author’s own words. The memoir captures Siti Hasmah’s affable wit, unwavering humility, and remarkable strength as she invites readers into her world.

Siti Hasmah paints vivid portraits of her humble beginnings, the challenges of womanhood, and her delicate equilibrium as a healer and a nurturer. Her presence echoes softly in Malaysia’s history, yet her impact reverberates through the lives she touched.

Enriched with photographs that evoke the passage of time, this memoir serves as a tribute to a remarkable woman and the spirit of a nation she helped mould. Compassion and humility were her guiding principles.

“My Name Is Hasmah” is a graceful, heartfelt, and quietly powerful memoir. It speaks volumes without resorting to ostentatious rhetoric.

[Hani~]

Baru selesai baca autobiografi Nama Saya Hasmah.

Dalam buku ni, Tun Hasmah berulang kali sebut tentang penglihatan beliau yang semakin lemah. Berlaku pelbagai kejadian lucu. Misalnya dalam satu majlis makan malam, Tun pernah cuba potong 'popia liat' yang dihidang. Sehinggalah ditegur suaminya, buat apa dengan gulungan hand towel tu? Barulah beliau sedar bahawa yang cuba dipotong tadi bukan popia 😂

Tun juga senaraikan perkara yang kini beliau sukar lakukan lantaran masalah penglihatan tersebut. Paling saya terkesan, beliau:

1. Tidak lagi boleh membaca al-Quran dan segala bentuk bahan bacaan lain.
2. Tak dapat lihat wajah ahli keluarga walau mereka ada depan mata.

Saya tak boleh bayangkan kalau hilang dua nikmat ni. Alhamdulillah atas nikmat mata yang masih berfungsi dengan baik.

Banyak lagi perkongsian menarik dalam buku ni. Kita dapat lihat beliau dalam peranan seorang anak, adik, pelajar, doktor, isteri, aktivis dll. Bahasa yang digunakan juga sedap dibaca. Terasa seperti kita sedang duduk dengar cerita daripada ibu/nenek sendiri. Santai penuh kasih sayang.