Champion of oppressed given grand tribute-filled send-off

Apart from a white tent outside a terrace house in Subang Jaya, there was nothing to suggest that a towering personality who changed the way most Malaysians viewed foreign workers in this country was being laid to rest.

Apr 11, 2014

SHAH ALAM: Apart from a white tent outside a terrace house in Subang Jaya, there was nothing to suggest that a towering personality who changed the way most Malaysians viewed foreign workers in this country was being laid to rest.

She was none other than Irene Fernandez, champion of the marginalised, whether they were migrants, refugees, labourers or sex workers, from Bangladesh, Nepal or Indonesia.

Among those who gathered to pay their last respects to the indefatigable activist were disparate workers with whose lives she had made a difference, including Bangladesh national Abu Kalam who stood next her coffin and sobbed, crying out, "Mother, mother."

Later, Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, coordinator for Caram Asia, a regional movement for migrant workers rights founded by Irene, explained that Abu Kalam was grief-stricken by her sudden passing as she had rescued him from the hands of an unscrupulous employer and gave him shelter in her home five years ago.

"He was just a factory worker, but she cared for him and gave him shelter. That is how Irene treats everyone. She gives people love and so she was loved in return," Mohammad Harun said.

Outside, another group of Indian women made up of plantation workers appeared oblivious of the scorching heat as they spoke fondly about the popular activist.

Speaking in Tamil, M.Mariayee said that Irene taught her to question whenever her rights were being trampled on, adding that before Irene came into her life, she only knew fear.

"She motivated us, taught us about our rights. Now she is gone and we don't have anyone," she said, looking sombre.

S.Vasuki, a former plantation worker, referred to Irene as her 'queen', and related how Irene brought positive changes into their lives with her skills training programmes that enabled them to earn extra income.

Glorene Das, programme director for Tenaganita, broke down when she bade her boss of 15 years farewell.

Das said that Irene's mantra to her colleagues was to gain strength from the simple lives of the communities they worked with, which included migrants, refugees, women and children.

She also said the Tenaganita founder was full of creative ideas and was all for working with corporate companies to gain better support and outreach for their human rights efforts.

"She hated hierarchy, which is why we could always barge into her office and voice our dissatisfaction, " Das added.

Body Shop Malaysia managing director Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, who worked with Irene on many issues, including a recent Stop Child Sex Trafficking programme, credited Irene for leading them in the right direction.

"And through it all, she always had her big smile and hearty laugh for us," Mina said at the wake today.

When asked what were Irene's views of the government, Das said: "She always told me that she thought the current government was arrogant.”

Former Bersih co-founder Datuk A.Samad Said, who was also at the wake, said he hoped that the government would recognise Irene's contributions to society.

"Personalities like Irene are few and hard to come by.

"It may look like she was fighting against the government, but in truth, she was struggling for the betterment of society," he said.

Subang MP R. Sivarasa, who knew Irene since their activist days in the mid-1980s, represented her when she was charged in 1996 for publishing false news.

This was over a report detailing the abuse and torture of illegal immigrants at detention camps.

After a lengthy trial, Irene was sentenced to a year's jail in 2003. She was later acquitted in 2008 when the government did not challenge her appeal.

Sivarasa remembered Irene as "one tough lady" going through the trial, during which time her organisation Tenaganita was also targeted and brought to court in an unrelated case.

He added that it was unfortunate that the Barisan Nasional government did not appreciate Irene's work in looking out for the marginalised communities.

"Even from the international community, tributes are pouring in, but our leaders remain silent on her passing," he said.

Sister Josie Fernandez said Irene’s foray into social activism was founded on her Catholic upbringing.--The Malaysian Insider