KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday paid tribute to Tun Dr Fatimah Hashim, the first woman appointed to the cabinet who died on Saturday, saying she was a fighter who had done a lot of good deeds to the country, government and Umno.
The Prime Minister said as one of those who joined the cabinet during the country’s formative years following the independence, Fatimah, who died at the age of 85, had contributed immensely to the government and country.
He also described Fatimah as an exemplary women figure who had laid the foundation for the struggle of women at the very early stage of Malaysia’s nationhood.
“I regard the late Tun Fatimah as a fighter, a women leader and an important figure in the government who had done a lot of good deeds to the country,” he told reporters after attending her burial at the Warrior’s Mausoleum at the National Mosque, here yesterday.
Fatimah, who died at her home at 11.35pm due to old age, was buried at 2.10pm.
Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said Fatimah’s death was a great loss to the nation and women.
“We greatly apreciate Tun’s deeds and contrbutions because she was a pioneer not only in terms of women affairs in Malaysia but also in welfare activities to the extent that she had raised women affairs as one of the thrusts in the government.
“Her vision and mission for the development of women in the country had enabled the women to achieve various notable successes until today,” Shahrizat, who is also Wanita Umno head, told reporters here.
Earlier, she had officially opened a seminar to build strong family ties organised by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Hakka Association and Hakka Women Association at the Sunway Lagoon, near here.
Shahrizat said Fatimah had inspired Malaysians, particularly the women, because of her firmness and courage besides having her own vision and mission for Malaysian women.
A former colleague, Tan Sri Aishah Ghani described Fatimah as a highly dedicated woman who had contributed significantly to the country.
“She was a leader who was well-liked by Wanita Umno. We used to go all over the country together to strengthen Umno, empower Wanita Umno. I’m deeply affected by her passing,” she told reporters when met at the former minister’s residence at Bukit Pantai, here.
Former International Trade and Industry Minister, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said Fatimah was instrumental in bringing her into the political arena.
“Tun was the one who brought me into active politics because she had enrolled me as a member of Wanita Umno and appointed me as a member of the Umno Economic Bureau, and I myself was not aware and my involvement in politics was entirely because of the late Fatimah,” she said.
“When she was the NCWO (National Council of Women’s Organisations) president, Fatimah had brought scores of non-govermental organisations (NGOs) in the country under one umbrella and from there we had successfully fought for the rights of women such as income tax, salary and other perks on par with the men,” she said.
Former Information Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir described Fatimah as a wise and extraordinary woman who was willing to sacrifice personal interests for the sake of the people and country.
“She had personal traits which were rare among women and the younger generation and our students should learn from such leadership qualities,” said Abdul Kadir who once served as Fatimah’s political secretary in the 1970’s.
Fatimah, who is survived by six children, was buried next to the grave of her husband, Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Yusoff, who was a former attorney-general, and Law and National Development Minister, who died in April 1992.
Fatimah joined politics in 1947 and had held the post of Head of the Umno Kaum Ibu movement, which is now known as Wanita Umno, from September 1956 until June 1972.
She was appointed Welfare Minister on May 20, 1969 until March 1, 1973.
On Aug 19 last year, she was chosen as one of the four outstanding Malaysians to receive the Merdeka Award for the Education and Community category.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom led the prayers prior to the burial which was attended by over 200 relatives and friends.
Also present were the prime minister’s, wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; Shahrizat, Chief Secretary to the government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan and several cabinet ministers.
Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Fatimah’s demise meant that the nation had lost a woman who would be difficult to replace. — Bernama
“The country and the people have lost a woman who had made significant contributions. We can say that the late Tun Fatimah was an asset to the cause of women nationalism particularly through Umno and values of basic struggles which is hard to replace,” he told reporters after visiting the founder and head of the Malaysian Seni Silat Lincah Organisation (PSSLM), Datuk Omardin Mauju who was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) following a heart attack.
Fatimah’s struggles on women’s issues had been passed on to the leaders after her, such as Umno veteran Tan Sri Aishah Ghani, former Minister of International Trade and Industry Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said Rais. — Bernama