KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia-India Heritage Society has described the late Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan as an inspirational figure who represents the significant role played by Indian women in Malaysian society.
Its founder president, Prabhakaran Nair, in extending his condolences on behalf of his society, emphasised Devaki's extraordinary journey that defied norms and left an indelible mark on Malaysian politics.
Devaki, the first Malaysian woman to be elected to public office, died on Saturday at the age of 100.
"Her trailblazing spirit, breaking gender barriers within a non-communal framework, underscores her unwavering commitment to inclusivity," he said in a statement via WhatsApp to Bernama.
Born in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan on March 11, 1923, Devaki, who began her career as a teacher, was the first woman to hold public office in pre-independence 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 founder-president, Datuk Onn Jaafar.
After the municipal election, Devaki became the vice-president of MIC, which was just a social and welfare association at that time.
The eldest of six children, she helped to form the women's section in MIC and was its first secretary in 1975.
During the May 1969 riots, Devaki, who was a civil defence member, managed the medical clinic at Merdeka Stadium, providing assistance to 3,500 riot victims and the homeless.
"In 1999, she played a pivotal role in amending the Guardianship of Infants Act, advocating for single mothers' rights to care for their children," said Prabhakaran.
He also highlighted Devaki's enduring legacy, portraying her as a symbol of resilience, leadership and advocacy for social justice in the diverse fabric of Malaysian society. — Bernama