Malaysian ex-PM Mahathir says he tries to return to office but remains weak, thanks public for support

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad thanked the public for their support and prayers following the death of his wife Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali on Sept 28.In a statement dated Oct 19, Mahathir said that he has tried going to the office over the past few days, but still lacks the strength to do so.The 101-year-old also thanked those who helped with Hasmah’s funeral.“On behalf of my entire family, I would like to take the opportunity to express my many thanks to everyone who assisted in carrying out the funeral arrangements for Hasmah recently,” he said.He added that he was deeply moved by the continuous prayers offered for Hasmah, made at her grave or elsewhere.“It reminds me, amidst this profound and painful sorrow, to remain grateful to Allah for having entrusted Hasmah to me for so long, until this stage of my life, where only a small amount of time remains,” he said.Mahathir also apologised to those whose greetings, waves, or messages of condolence he had not been able to respond to.Hasmah, who died at the age of 100, was buried at Pusara Negara, or the National Cemetery, in Putrajaya.She was married to Mahathir, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, since 1956.