The wind beneath Mahathir's wings

Bizarre.

That is perhaps the most apt word to describe the realignment of political forces, where seated at the same table with the aim of saving Malaysia in the name of the rakyat were the same people who once strove to save the nation from each other, also in the name of the rakyat.

It was, in the words of Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself, a congregation of strange bedfellows who had come together to ink a declaration. Among them were 'Malaysian first' Lim Kit Siang and 'Malay first' Muhyiddin Yassin.

In total, 58 people with 58 different opinions and agendas on how the nation should be saved had put ink to parchment. The cohesive factor being the removal of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The historic event has elicited and will continue to elicit a slew of reactions, analyses and hypotheses, chief among them being the questions – what happens next and will this strengthen Najib further within Umno since those who might dislike him possess a greater dislike for the opposition.

But one individual in the crowd was and not likely to be mentioned. The spotlight never falls on her despite her presence at all poignant events involving Mahathir.

Granted, the former premier is master in the art of statecraft but some claim that if not for her, the nonagenarian juggernaut would not exhibit the same level of zeal and exuberance.

While the mention of Mahathir's name draws mixed responses, none, foes included, would dream of uttering a single ill word about her.

Yes, Dr Siti Hasmah Ali is a remarkable woman.

Mahathir and her had tied the knot six decades ago, and since then, she has stood steadfast beside her husband during his never-ending political career.

For two decades, she supported him as Mahathir rose up the ladder from a provincial parliamentarian to eventually become prime minister.

She remained next to him even as some among those who now join hands with him took to the streets to condemn her husband as a despot.

Even after retirement, there was no respite as Mahathir spent the next 13 years – with brief intervals in between - engineering the downfall of the prime ministers who came after him.

During the interludes, he had trained his guns on political rivals, who are now his allies.

Keeping a low profile

She quit Umno when he did, rejoined Umno when he did, quit Umno again when he did and now signed the ‘Save Malaysia’ declaration after him.

Throughout the decades, apart from being the wife of Mahathir, there has not been a hint of controversy involving her.

She has managed to keep a low profile, below the gossip radar that detects signals emitted by diamond rings and luxury handbags. Then again, perhaps there was no social media at that time.

One cannot help but wonder if she is not fatigued with having a husband who refuses to retire and continues to create imbroglios? Does she not want to knock him on the head and tell him to give his twice-bypassed heart a rest?

Mahathir might be numerous things, but he is one fortunate man when it comes to meeting the right woman.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, Siti Hasmah explained that the role of a prime minister's wife is to support her husband, and not to compete with him.

"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,” she said.

It is astounding that the love between the two of them has managed to endure the test of time and political tribulations, especially when critics had even at times pondered if the former premier possessed a beating heart.

She is indeed the wind beneath his wings. -Mkini