Siti Hasmah: Dr M didn’t ask my permission to write 'A Doctor in the House'

In conjunction with her 90th birthday, Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali has published her autobiography, titled ‘My Name is Hasmah’.

During a question-and-answer session at the book launch yesterday, Siti Hasmah shook her head when asked by the master of ceremonies, former Miss Malaysia Yasmin Yusuff, whether she had received her husband’s approval to pen the things written in the book.

“He didn’t ask me permission to write his book (‘A Doctor in the House’),” said Siti Hasmah, drawing laughter from the audience.

As for whether there were secrets revealed in the book in which her children did not know about, Siti Hasmah merely replied, “Many”.

The book launch yesterday, which was notably floral-themed, was attended by all her family members and close friends.

Held at the Glasshouse at Seputeh in Kuala Lumpur, Siti Hasmah’s family members were all dressed in floral-themed outfits, save for Mahathir who was dressed in his trademark bush jacket.

Singing performances by the grandchildren

Apart from performances by various professional performers, the event yesterday was interspersed with singing performances by Siti Hasmah’s grandchildren.

Flanked by her loved ones, Siti Hasmah, who turned 90 on July 12, was later serenaded with the birthday song and she cut a three-tiered cake, which was also decorated with floral ornaments.

In her speech, Siti Hasmah’s eldest child Marina Mahathir said the celebration was simply a cosy party to celebrate “someone who is a giant among women”.

“We decided that the book would be a gift to her on her birthday, to mark the beginning of her 10th decade in life, insyaAllah,” Marina said.

‘My Name is Hasmah’ is a collection of stories of Siti Hasmah’s upbringing, her career in medicine and adventures with her husband.

The book was written with the help of a team of editors from Salt Media Group and published by Kumpulan Karangkraf under its Alaf21 imprint.

The 248-page book will be sold for RM80 at bookstores. Its Bahasa Malaysia version, ‘Nama Saya Hasmah’, will also be published soon.