First Malaysian woman elected to public office dies
KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan, the first Malaysian woman to be elected to public office, died on Saturday night at the age of 100.
The news of her passing was shared by her grandson, Deputy Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister Datuk R. Ramanan in a Facebook posting early yesterday.
“Her loss is irreplaceable. The memories will continue to be with us all. May her soul rest in peace,” he said.
According to Ramanan, Devaki, dubbed as the ‘Grand Dame of Malaysian Indian Politics’, had devoted her life to serving the community.
“Her services and leadership raised the dignity of women in the eyes of the world. A pioneer and the first Malaysian woman to be elected to public office left a glorious legacy in the country’s political history,” he added.
Born in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan on March 11, 1923, Devaki who began her career as a teacher, was the first woman to hold public office in preindependence Malaya when she was elected to the then Bangsar Municipal Council in 1952.
In 1951, she joined the Independence of Malaya Party at the invitation of its founderpresident Datuk Onn Jaafar.
After the municipal election, Devaki became the vicepresident of MIC which at that time was just a social and welfare association.
The eldest of six children helped to form the women’s section in MIC and was its first secretary in 1975.
Devaki had also held various positions including Board Member of the National Council of Women’s Organisations (NCWO), vice-president of the Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women’s Association, as well as Council Member of the National Council of the Senior Citizens Organisation.
She was the first Indian woman to be accorded a Tan Sri title and had received various awards including Tokoh Wanita and the Tun Fatimah Gold Medal from the NCWO.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim conveyed his condolences to the family of Devaki.
Anwar, in a Facebook post, said that Devaki was an important figure in the history of the struggle to elevate women’s stature in leadership and politics, and who devoted her life to serving the community.
“I am saddened by the passing of the first woman in Malaysia’s public service, Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan, last night.
“Her contribution and sacrifices will be remembered forever. Condolences to the family of the deceased,” he said. — Bernama