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After 60 years, Siti Hasmah plays the violin again for PH
The wife of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad leaves her audience in tears.
VIDEO INSIDE
Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali playing the violin again at the age of 91.
PUTRAJAYA: Although she had not touched a violin in 60 years, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali left the audience in tears after a performance at a Pakatan Harapan (PH) fundraising event last night.
The 91-year-old, who had played during Malaysia’s war years, only picked up the violin again in 2016.
Not only did she have to become reacquainted with the instrument, because of her poor eyesight, she had to learn the songs by heart.
Nonetheless, her renditions of “Por Una Cabeza” and “Tanah Pusaka” had the audience mesmerised.
Jamilah Sheikh Abdullah, 62, called Siti Hasmah’s performance “honest”.
“They were unpretentious,” she told FMT, referring to Siti Hasmah and her husband, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had joined his wife in reciting a poem dedicated to the opposition pact.
“You could tell through their performances, they wanted to be there. They were doing this simply to raise funds for the general election campaign that is coming soon.”
Jamilah had never been a fan of Mahathir and in fact was part of the Reformasi movement in 1998.
“We have been fighting for 20 years. We are really tired. But things have changed,” she said. “Mahathir managed to gel the opposition together under the PKR logo, and now I admire him.”
Jamilah, who is currently a member of NGO, Muslim Professionals Forum, added that Siti Hamsah’s performance was remarkable and showed her support for her husband.
“I didn’t come here because I am interested in politics. I came because I believe in the cause they are fighting for,” she said.
Mahathir’s poem, “Pakatan Harapan”, was written by the former prime minister himself.
In it, he described why the pact had been formed and called on Malaysians to help PH help them.
Farah Hamzah, 70, also applauded the couple’s performances.
“This old couple, they are two people who are able to offer us hope against fear.
“Tonight’s performances were simple, nothing flamboyant,” she said.
Towards the end of the event, Siti Hasmah’s violin was auctioned and sold for RM35,000.
Aziz Ibrahim, who bought the violin, said he had admired Mahathir since childhood and attributed his success in life to the inspiration he had drawn from the former prime minister.
“I owe my success to him,” he said. “Today, I am 54 but I am fortunate to have been able to retire at 45.
“My father used to be a lorry driver. Today, because of Mahathir, I drive a different vehicle that isn’t a lorry.”
