'No need to compete with husband, always remain humble' - Tun Siti Hasmah

The prime minister’s wife should support and not compete with her husband.

This was the advise from Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in an exclusive interview with MalaysiaKini.

"As the prime minister's wife, do not compare (yourself with anyone). Generally, you have to support your husband, you have to be knowledgeable, you have to know what is happening around you and you have to make sure that you are together with your husband to meet with the people.

"People like to know that this is the PM's wife and that they are together, they are family-oriented. So you have to support your husband, definitely. But don't compete with him," advised Dr Hasmah, 89, who asked not be compared with anyone.

Dr Hasmah also cautioned the prime minister’s wife from making any promises.

Instead, the prime minister’s wife should convey the message for his consideration.

"They cannot see the PM. So, they want to see the wife, and then for no reason, they will ask for anything. Never promise anything. Just say that you will convey the message to your husband to consider.

"You have no part in telling people that 'yes, I will make sure you get this, you get that, you get the contract'.

"No, my husband was very particular and as a PM, my husband never allowed even his children to bother him in politics. I am a member of UMNO, but never held any position in UMNO," she said.

During the interview with the news portal, she also advised the prime minister’s wife to always be humble.

This was a lesson she learned when she was stationed in Kedah as the first female Malay doctor.

"You may be a doctor or you maybe a minister's wife but if you are arrogant, they (the people) won't accept you.

"They taught me how to be humble, how to be nice, and how to talk to them properly,” she said in the interview.