KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — As Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad celebrates his 90th birthday today, his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali prays that he can finally see some resolution to his long struggle in Malaysian politics.
The 88-year-old wife of the former prime minister said she prays for Dr Mahathir's good health, but wishes that he can witness some finality in whatever it is he strove to achieve in his many years as a politician.
"I also pray so that he can at least, see his fight end. In what way, I don't know," she said in an interview published by Malaysiakini.
"If there are signs that his fight will end in whatever way, or Vision 2020 is coming to show him that whatever he had in mind before will be fulfilled, no matter whether small (successes) or not, I think he will be very happy," she added.
Siti Hasmah, who raised seven children with Dr Mahathir, said they are going to celebrate her husband's birthday with a simple dinner, admitting that there's nothing that he wants that he doesn't already have.
"I never thought of buying him anything because he has everything. Last time, I just bought him a velvet smoking jacket. After a shower or breakfast, (wear) it like a yukata.
"And he is comfortable with it but it's difficult to find it here. I have to go to Japan to find it. So he already he has got all that he wants.
"He's got watches, pens, so I said nothing else," said Siti Hasmah, who will celebrate her own birthday on Sunday.
Siti Hasmah said she will always support her "boy from the Paddy Fields State" — her nickname for Dr Mahathir in reference to his home state of Kedah — even if he remains actively involved in Malaysian politics, though she said she feels bad for him.
To a question, she said that Dr Mahathir has continued to take vocal positions on national issues simply because no one else is doing so.
"That's easy to answer. No one else wants to speak up," she said.
