KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, made a surprise visit to the newly refurbished Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Dr Mahathir, aged 100, has been granted home leave to recover after spending a month at the National Heart Institute.
He was admitted on Jan 6, 2026, following a fall at his residence, which resulted in a fractured right hip.
A viral video of the visit shows the centenarian couple in high spirits. They marvelled at the restored 19th-century Moorish-style landmark, a backdrop to Malaysia's journey to independence.
Seated comfortably inside a luxury MPV and dressed in a sharp black baju Melayu, Dr Mahathir shared a lighthearted moment with his wife and Tan Sri Mokhzani.
Looking up at the clock tower, the former premier's wife joked about the building's age in comparison to her own.
The Sultan Abdul Samad Building was completed in 1897, making it nearly 130 years old — a fact that prompted a witty exchange about whether the architecture or the visitors held more seniority.
"It's almost the same age as us... or maybe even older," Dr Mahathir was heard quipping, drawing laughs from those gathered.
Mokhzani, who accompanied his parents, told the New Straits Times that it was Dr Mahathir's first night drive through the brightly lit city.
"Dr Mahathir was impressed with the refurbishment of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad."
During the visit, Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah were briefed on the refurbishment project.
They were told about the meticulous work required to preserve the structural integrity of the iconic site, which took two years to complete.
Dr Mahathir was informed that the refurbished building is designed to ensure it stands for another 100 years or more.
As the visit drew to a close, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, standing beside the vehicle, showed her trademark humour.
Turning to Mokhzani, she jokingly asked if she could "put up for the night" at the historic building, apparently impressed by its refurbished beauty.
Before departing, the couple took a moment to address the camera, offering their warm Hari Raya Aidilfitri greetings to all Muslims celebrating the end of the holy month.
The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which once housed the colonial administration and later the higher courts of Malaysia, remains a key heritage building.
Its visit by the nation's longest-serving leader on the eve of Syawal served as a reminder of Malaysia's enduring heritage. - NST
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