KUALA LUMPUR: The first woman elected to public office, Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan died last night.
The late Devaki, who was known as the "Grand Dame of Malaysian Indian Politics" and one of the last surviving members of the Merdeka generation, reached the age of 100.
Her grandson, Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk R. Ramanan, confirmed her passing in a Facebook post.
"With deep sorrow, I regret to inform you that my grandmother, Tan Sri Devaki passed away last night. The entire family certainly deeply feels the loss at the age of 100.
"The late was an influential female figure in Malaysian politics, earning the title 'Grand Dame of Malaysian Indian Politics.' Her life was dedicated to serving the community.
"Her services and leadership elevated the dignity of women in the eyes of the world. A pioneer as the first woman in the Malaysian civil service, she leaves behind a glorious legacy in the country's political history.
"Her loss is irreplaceable, and the memories with her will continue to be immortalised. May her soul rest in peace."
Devaki's bold leap in the Kuala Lumpur Municipal Election in 1952, a seat she retained in 1955, is seen as the breakthrough for political participation among women in a male-dominated field.
She has had the distinction of meeting and knowing all Malaysia's prime ministers, including Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak, Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
During the 1969 racial riots, Devaki was also in charge of the medical clinic as a member of the Civil Defence Force where she helped care for victims and the homeless, which numbered around 3,500, at Stadium Merdeka.
Her father was the last Controller of Post and Telecoms of Malaya and her Sri Lankan heritage, where women since the 1900s had been in politics, was the initial catalyst.
Among the significant awards presented to her were the Serving Sister of St John Award by Queen Elizabeth, Tokoh Wanita Award and Tun Fatimah Award for her contributions to women empowerment and welfare services. She was also a founding member of the Malaysian Indian Congress and remains a life member.
She also holds the distinction of being the first Malaysian of Sri Lankan descent to be conferred the Panglima Setia Mahkota award, which carries the Tan Sri title.