Kuala Lampur, Sept. 28 -- Malaysia has lost more than the wife of a former prime minister. In the passing of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at the age of 100, the country has lost a remarkable Malaysian whose life traversed almost the entire history of modern Malaysia.

Her death at the National Heart Institute on September 28 was confirmed by her family. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim paid tribute to her lifelong contributions and service to Malaysia, while the King and Queen expressed their condolences to her family.

There will inevitably be different political views about her husband, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. That is the nature of democracy. Malaysia has lived through intense political contestation, particularly over the last de...