Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had an emotional meeting at the PKR leader's residence in Segambut today.

Once the wife of the prime minister and the deputy prime minister, respectively, both now find their husbands being persecuted by the government.

Both former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim now lead opposition parties, in the form of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and PKR, respectively.

Mahathir's stalwart Khairuddin Abu Hassan, who was also present at the meeting, described it as an emotional one.

"It was very touching in the beginning, Kak Wan (Wan Azizah) greeted and hugged Tun Siti, and tears were shed. It was very touching.

"Tun Siti spent about an hour and 45 minutes at Kak Wan's home. They talked a lot about old times," Khairuddin told Malaysiakini when contacted.

'Meeting another historical milestone'

He described the meeting as a good one and reckoned that it was another historical milestone after Mahathir shook Anwar's hand in a courtroom in September.

"Kak Wan was big hearted in accepting Tun Siti's visit. And Tun Siti brought along her memoirs for Kak Wan.

"In return, Kak Wan gave her goat milks products. She said they were good for Tun Siti's health and bones," Khairuddin said.

The two families have had a bumpy relationship.

Anwar's family had been angry with Mahathir for sacking Anwar as deputy prime minister in 1998 and subsequently, for having him jailed for sodomy.

Anwar claimed the charge was politically motivated.

The split was due to a falling out between the two men, including on how to manage the country’s economy.

Despite the bitter history, Mahathir and Siti Hasmah quietly visited Anwar's family when Anwar’s father passed away in April last year.

That was before Mahathir had a complete relationship breakdown with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Following Mahathir's open war with Najib, efforts were made to mend the ties between Mahathir and Anwar.