Why did Tun Dr Siti Hasmah ask people to stop using “Siti Hasmah”?

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Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Requested the Cessation of the Use of "Siti Hasmah" Due to the Name's Imposition by Others

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali has requested that individuals cease referring to her as "Siti Hasmah." She explained that the prefix "Siti" was not her birth name but was appended to her given name, Hasmah, after she and her husband, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, relocated to Kuala Lumpur from Kedah. This clarification was made to address a common misapprehension about her name.
Origin of the "Siti" Prefix

Dr. Hasmah clarified that her birth name is simply Hasmah. The addition of "Siti" to her name occurred when she and Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad were transferred to Kuala Lumpur from Alor Setar. This practice of adding "Siti" was, in her view, a consequence of the local naming conventions or perhaps a deliberate insertion by others.
Association with Popular Names

She suggested that the inclusion of "Siti" might have been influenced by the popularity of names such as "Siti Nurhaliza" within Kuala Lumpur. The presence of numerous individuals bearing the name "Siti" in the city may have led to her own name being similarly prefixed. This phenomenon, she indicated, was not of her own choosing.
Emphasis on Correct Nomenclature

Dr. Hasmah explicitly stated her preference for being addressed by her correct name, Hasmah, or as Dr. Hasmah. She emphasized that any discourse or references pertaining to her should omit the name "Siti" entirely. This directive aims to ensure accuracy and respect for her personal identity.

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Why did Tun Dr Siti Hasmah ask people to stop using “Siti Hasmah”?

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