Syed Saddiq: Bella and I don't come close to Dr M, Hasmah

Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has downplayed comparisons between his relationship with artiste Bella Astillah and that of Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the late Dr Hasmah Ali.

He stressed that his fiancé and he were far from matching either the couple’s contributions to the country or their bond of more than seven decades together.

“I don’t think we deserve to be compared with the late Hasmah and Mahathir. We don’t even come close, not even one percent, because their contributions have been extraordinary,” Berita Harian quoted him as saying.

While acknowledging that those drawing the comparisons meant well, Syed Saddiq said Bella and he were only beginning their journey together.

“If we liken it to a book, we are only about to write the first page. They (Mahathir and Hasmah) have not merely written the first page; they might already have an entire library sharing their love story.

“Not one book, but thousands,” he reportedly said during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on his upcoming wedding.

Syed Saddiq and Bella are scheduled to solemnise their marriage on Oct 10 at Menara 118 in Kuala Lumpur, followed by a reception at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center (Mitec) on Oct 18.

Siti Hasmah died at the National Heart Institute on Sept 28 at the age of 100.

Syed Saddiq also reportedly paid tribute to Hasmah’s pioneering contributions to medicine and education among rural communities, recalling her willingness to serve outside the city.

He noted Malaysians continued to benefit from Mahathir’s achievements, which far surpassed those of his own much shorter political career.

The former Muda president said Bella and he hoped to draw inspiration from the couple’s experiences.

'A final meeting'

Syed Saddiq also recalled visiting Hasmah with Bella three days before her death, when she shared her excitement about attending their wedding solemnisation.

The meeting lasted more than two hours and became one of their most treasured memories.

“She was very cheerful during that meeting. She also told us how much she was looking forward to attending our wedding solemnisation,” he said.

“She shared a lot of advice, particularly about the importance of compromise in marriage.

“Marriage is not just about love, but also tolerance and knowing how to compromise, navigate challenges and deal with issues such as jealousy in a relationship,” Syed Saddiq said.

‘Stand by your spouse’

Meanwhile, Bella said Hasmah advised her to be strong, stand by her husband and approach married life with gentleness.

“There are things I can share and others I choose to keep private out of respect for her. She told me that being the wife of a politician would not be easy.

“But as long as there is trust in the relationship, God willing, the marriage will last. Tolerance and respect for your partner are also very important,” she said.

Syed Saddiq also urged the public to pray for Hasmah, and for Mahathir’s full recovery after his admission to the IJN for routine treatment.

“This is not an easy process for him and his family. I hope that with everyone’s prayers and encouragement, he will come back stronger, God willing,” he said.

In the days after Hasmah’s passing, her love story with Mahathir has also been compared to Indonesia’s former president, the late Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie (BJ Habibie), and his late wife, Hasri Ainun Besari, whose decades of marriage were captured in two big-screen movies.

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