Arwah Tun Fatimah Hashim

My grandmother, Tun Fatimah Hashim passed away at the age of 85 late Saturday night in her sleep at her home in the arms of her son, Datuk Ali Abdul Kadir, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As word spread of her demise, despite the lateness of the hour, people began streaming to the house to pay their respects. By 9am the next day, as many as 100 people had come and gone. As the day wore in, we, her family, were to be astounded by the number of people who came and paid their respects to the great woman. We knew she was a respected national figure, but I don't think we really understood the magnitude of her contributions to the country.

She fought for the freedom of her people. She fought for the rights of women and children at a time when human rights was in its infancy. She fought for the rights and well-being of orphans and the poor. Most importantly, I think, she fought for the freedom and the rights of people. Not Malays. Not Bumiputras. People. And when these people came to be named as Malaysians, she fought for Malaysians. She never fought for herself or for money. She fought for what she believed in, and on behalf of those who couldn't fight for themselves. It's a shame that in just 2 generations, politicians have gone from admirable and respectable people to the joke that they are now.

It was for this woman that they came - of all ages, races and religions - to pay their final respects for a woman who fought for what they have today.

We were overwhelmed and overcome, and we thank everybody for having paid their respects and showing us just how amazing she was. To us, she was just Tok Mummy, the matron of our family, a loving and wise grandmother who gave us everything and asked for nothing in return but affection. To Malaysia, she was Tun Fatimah Hashim - a freedom fighter, an advocate of human rights, and a formidable force who contributed to helping to make Malaysia what it is today. Al Fatihah.