Devaki Krishnan was a Malaysian politician, achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman elected to public office in Malaysia. Her groundbreaking victory occurred in 1952 when she secured a seat on the Municipal Council in Kuala Lumpur. She went on to become a life member of the Malaysian Indian Congress.
Bio/Wiki
Age-100 years
Full name-Tan Sri Devaki Ayathurai Krishnan
Height-5.1
Weight-60kg
Born- 11 March 1923
Birthplace-Port Dickson, Malaysia
Spouse- P. Krishnan (died 1998)
Profession-Malaysian Politician
Party-Malaysian Indian Congress
Nationality- Malaysian
Family
Name of her parents remains unknown. Her father served as the acting controller of Post and Telecoms Malaya, while her mother was a Tamil school teacher with a college education.
Sibling
She was the eldest among six siblings, having a total of six brothers and sisters.
Husband
She married with P. Krishnan, a prosperous businessman. Unfortunately, he passed away in the year 1998.
Children
Together, they raised a family of three children and enjoyed the presence of five grandchildren. Their eldest grandson, Ramanan Ramakrishnan, not only served as the MIC treasurer but also held the position of a Member of Parliament for Sungai Buloh, representing the Pakatan Harapan coalition.
Education
Krishnan received her education at St. Mary’s School in Kuala Lumpur. Following her graduation, she pursued a career as a school teacher.
Career
In 1949, Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan became an engaged member of the Selangor Indian Association, assuming the role of chairman for the entertainment and social committee. Simultaneously, she dedicated her efforts to the Women’s International Club, actively participating in fundraising initiatives for disaster victims.
Her political journey began in December 1951 when, informed by her husband, she discovered that the community had nominated her to contest in the Kuala Lumpur Municipal elections. In 1955, she sought a second term for the municipal council in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, securing victory. Following her win, a celebratory parade featuring an open-top car procession, accompanied by over 50 cars along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur, marked her success.
After the election, Krishnan joined the MIC, initially a social and welfare association. Despite an unsuccessful bid for the Sentul constituency in the 1959 state election under the Alliance ticket, she remained committed to political engagement.
An advocate for women’s participation in Malaysian politics, Krishnan played a crucial role in the establishment of Wanita MIC in 1975. Serving as vice-president of the Selangor MIC and chairperson of the Selangor Wanita MIC, she became the inaugural chair of the MIC marriage bureau in 1984. Krishnan continued her efforts as the chair of the MIC’s Syed Putra branch, actively recruiting and encouraging women members to register as voters. As of August 2021, she held the distinction of being the longest-standing member of the party.
In 1953, Krishnan expanded her civic engagement by joining the Civil Defence Corp, undergoing training in firefighting and welfare. As an executive council member of the National Council of Women’s Organisation (NCWO), she further demonstrated her commitment to women’s causes. Her advocacy efforts extended to influencing the passage of the Guardianship Act in 1999.
Achievement / Awards
- In 1974, Tan Sri Devaki received the Serving Sister of St John Award from Queen Elizabeth II for her noteworthy contributions to St John’s Ambulance activities.
- Recognizing her exceptional achievements, she was named Tokoh Wanita by the National Council of Women Organisation (NCWO) and Sevai Mamani at the World Hindu Women Conference in 1985.
- In 1991, she was honored with the Avon-Tan Sri Fatimah Award and the Tun Fatimah Award by NCWO, both acknowledgments for her dedicated welfare services.
- August 1995 marked a significant milestone in her accolades, as she was conferred with the Panglima Setia Mahkota by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. This prestigious award granted her the title Tan Sri, making her the first Malaysian Sri Lankan woman to receive such an honor.
Net Worth
At the time of her passing, Devaki Krishnan’s net worth was estimated to be 5 million.
Cause of Death
Last night, Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan, the first woman to be elected to public office, passed away at the age of 100. Fondly referred to as the “Grand Dame of Malaysian Indian Politics” and a distinguished member of the Merdeka generation, she left an indelible mark on the country’s political landscape.
Confirming her demise in a heartfelt Facebook post, her grandson, Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk R. Ramanan, expressed deep sorrow and acknowledged the profound loss felt by the entire family. Tan Sri Devaki’s influential role in Malaysian politics earned her the esteemed title of the ‘Grand Dame,’ and her life was dedicated to serving the community.
Recognized as a pioneer and trailblazer, she was the first woman in the Malaysian civil service, contributing significantly to the elevation of women’s dignity on the global stage. Her services and leadership have left behind a glorious legacy in the political history of the nation.
Her passing is mourned as an irreplaceable loss, and the memories shared with her will be immortalized. May her soul rest in peace.
