COMMENT “Are you going for the march, Madam?” “Yes, of course.”

 

Whenever a rally comes around the corner - there is one looming in the form of the Kita Lawan Anti-GST march tomorrow - I am reminded of one particular person, the late Irene Fernandez.

 

I am saying this because it was at a rally that I met her for the very last time. The Bersih 3.0 event in April 2012.

 

She was on a wheelchair and waiting for the crowd to gather somewhere near the Bar Council building at Leboh Pasar Besar.

 

When we approached her, I said: "Hello, Madam! Long time no see."

 

She gave us a smile. An infectious smile that we may find hard coming from a human rights activist. Someone who had gone through a really hard time for a good cause.

 

It was not just the last time I met her. It was also the first and the last time I held her hand.

 

You know, sometimes you can feel the presence of greatness when you are with someone or something. That was basically how I felt then.

 

Google her name

 

The younger generation may not know who Irene was. No problem. Just Google her name after reading this article.

 

To be brief, she was a director and co-founder of Tenaganita, an NGO which promotes the rights of migrant workers and refugees.

 

1n 1995, Irene published a report on the living conditions of migrant workers in prison camps entitled ‘Abuse, Torture and Dehumanised Conditions of Migrant Workers in Detention Centres.’

 

The details found in the said report were given to Irene by some journalists who believed it wouldn't see the light of day in the mainstream media.

 

However, it landed her in hot soup with the authorities, a journey which took 13 years for her to be exonerated.

 

In 1996, she was arrested and charged with maliciously publishing false news. She was convicted in 2003 with a one year's prison sentence.

 

Finally in 2008, on appeal, the court overturned her conviction and acquitted her.

Waste of time, money

 

Come to think of it, prosecuting (or rather persecuting) her for all those years has proven to be such a waste of time, money and resources.

 

She was forceful but so harmless. She was an adorable aunty in a sari.

 

Irene died of heart failure on March 31 last year, just before her 68th birthday which she would have celebrated on April 18.

 

There are many words to describe Irene. But if you are looking for the definition or the meaning of the word "selfless", look no further.

 

The answer is "Irene Fernandez".

 

G JEGATHESAN is a member of Malaysiakini team.