The Malaysian human rights and women’s empowerment movement lost an iconic figure today, as Tenaganita director and veteran activist Irene Fernandez passed away at 10.58am this morning due to heart failure. She was 68.
Fernandez was admitted into the Serdang Hospital last Tuesday after complaining of breathing difficulties. She was on her way to attend the Bersih People’s Tribunal on the 13th General Elections.
Her sister Josie said Irene passed away in the Coronary Care Unit in the company of her husband Joseph Paul, daughters Katrina and Tania, son Camerra Jose, and her sisters, Aegile and herself.
“The doctor had spoken to us before that. He said that her brain was still alert but it was her heart.
“They also tried CPR for about 30 minutes but they couldn’t save her,” she added.
Josie said her sister’s remains would be first taken to her home in Seremban and then to the family’s Subang Jaya home on Wednesday morning.
A funeral service will be held at the Divine Mercy Church in Shah Alam.
She will then be cremated and her ashes will be buried alongside their parents in their hometown, Sungai Petani, as she had wished.
“She was a courageous person, a great wife and mother and a wonderful sister. She had changed many lives,” Josie said.
Irene was a vocal champion of migrant rights, as well as a human rights advocate. She is also a strong supporter of other causes like free and fair election, and women’s rights.
Story: The Malaysian Insider
