AS the first woman to hold public office in 1952, and again in 1955, for the seat of Bangsar, Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan needs no introduction. Having passed away at the age of 100, in January 2024, the nation saw widespread recognition for her contribution and sacrifices from across the political sphere and society at large.
It formally lodged her into the annals of history of this beautiful nation. A woman ahead of her time and a trailblazer in early Malaya, she was on a mission to champion social work, empower women and free ordinary Malaysians from the British colonialists.
The 1950s was as a time when men would head the household and women were confined to homemaking and caring for children.
In her election manifesto in 1952 - this was 72 years ago - she stated "I will interest myself particularly in the lot of the women of Kuala Lumpur and in extending the programme of social work." Throughout her life, she was determined and committed to elevate women and society.
It was on the invitation of Datuk Onn Jaafar (UMNO's founder and the pioneer of the Independence Movement) that Tan Sri Devaki was cast into the theatre of the Malayan Independence Movement.
She would join other illuminating Merdeka figures of her time – Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun V.T. Sambanthan – in the fight for independence; setting her on course to become a national icon.
I shared a bond with my late grandmother, whom I lived with through my mid-teens and visited weekly. I last saw her before I left to Davos for the World Economic Forum and found out about her passing on an icy cold morning in Zurich; the night after the summit.
Like a movie reel, a time lapse with her and her enchanting stories of Malaysia ran through my mind during the long journey back to Kuala Lumpur.
I recollected countless stories of the Japanese imperialists, British colonialists, early Malayans, the Merdeka movement and the values that Malaysia was founded upon.
During our conversations, my grandmother stressed on one fundamental factor that won independence – unity. The unity among Malayans to free themselves from the shackles of the British and a collective understanding for a need of a better future, was their force of nature.
"The colonialist strategy was to divide and rule us - so we remained very united, through thick and thin, as brothers and sisters" she narrated.
It was this unity among the Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaya that drove the British out and gained independence. This camaraderie seized the day and on August 31st,1957, Malaysia became a sovereign independent nation of her own; and the people rejoiced.
The May 13 riots taught Malaysians the importance of inter-communal relations and that if we were divided we would fall.
"What makes Malaysia unique is our multicultural society; and that is the strength of the country" she would say in a high-pitched voice as she chronicles her story like a history lesson.
Merdeka saw us united and May 13 saw us divided. In an increasingly polarised and conflict driven world, Malaysians can be a role-model nation and a beacon of hope. Passionately and thunderously, she once declared during these storytelling sessions "our diversity is our greatest advantage.
We have different skills among the different races to develop the nation and deal with the world. We have to work together like a household, as neighbours, as brothers and sisters". These guiding principles must be embraced and adhered to – in order to help us navigate today's increasingly partisan political environment.
She never failed to emphasise how lucky Malaysians are. "This country has everything, we don't require much except to work hard and work together; for the betterment of each generation. Honesty, integrity and principles was also key. More importantly, religious harmony and peaceful co-existence."
She also often stressed that to improve the quality of life of each generation and the nation, it is imperative that women are brought into the work force. Empowering women will allow them to earn an income, raise their children with widened exposure and contribute positively to the human capital required for nation building.
Through the formation of the National Council of Women Organisations and other umbrella NGOs, women were empowered and brought into leading roles within society. Today, women in Malaysia play an important role in all walks of life.
These are the direct results of the initiatives of the women of like her and the forward-thinking Merdeka generation.
Tan Sri Devaki had dedicated her whole life to social work and inter-religious inter-communal relations. She lived through the Japanese and British Occupation, the Merdeka Movement, the May 13 riots, the fall of Barisan Nasional and the rise of coalition government politics today.
Like many of her generation, the Grand Dame of Malaysian Indian politics had a very strong work ethic, was highly principled, passionate of making Malaysia succeed on all fronts.
History is a great teacher and it is imperative that the current generation embraces these Merdeka values (unity, tolerance, religious harmony, mutual respect) and concepts of nation building (inter-communal relations, shared values, empowering women, hard work) from our forefathers.
This year's theme of Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka symbolises the integration of Malaysians from various cultures and ethnicities; which is truly in-line with the visions and dreams of our forefathers and my beloved late grandmother. Selamat Hari Merdeka!
* The writer is the grandson of the late Tan Sri Dr Devaki Krishnan