Devaki Krishnan
Encyclopedia
Tan Sri Dr Devaki Krishnan is a Malaysian politician. She became the first woman be elected to public office in Malaysia when she won a seat on the Municipal Council
in Kuala Lumpur
in 1952. She is currently a life member of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).
, Negri Sembilan, and was the eldest of six children. Her father was acting controller of Post and Telecoms Malaya, and her mother was a college-trained Tamil school teacher.
She was educated at St. Mary's School, Kuala Lumpur
. Upon graduation she became a school teacher. In 1949, she became an active member of the Selangor Indian Association where she served as chairman of the entertainment and social committee. She was also actively involved in the Women's International Club
where she spent her time raising funds for disaster victims.
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to become a member of the Independence of Malaya Party
(IMP). "When I stood as a candidate, I needed help to address the audience, so I would sit with Datuk Onn and another lawyer, R. Ramani, at his office," she recalls, adding that the IMP quarters were in what is now the landmark Sultan Abdul Samad Building
. In her 1952 election manifesto, she stated, "I will interest myself particularly in the lot of the women of Kuala Lumpur and in extending the programme of social work already carried out by the municipality." Devaki won election to the Municipal Council, thus becoming the first woman in the country to be elected to public office.
In 1955, she stood for a second term for the municipal council in Bangsar
, Kuala Lumpur, and won. After her victory, she was paraded in an open-top car, accompanied by over 50 cars along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
, Kuala Lumpur.
ticket but lost.
She also was a champion for the involvement of women in the Malaysian political scene. In those days, most women stayed at home. Wanita (Women) MIC was created in 1975. Devaki recruited women throughout the nation for this branch of the party, with considerable her success. "No one taught them to come out as they were shy and had strict upbringings. Wherever they opened branches in MIC, I would open a women's branch. I will take the women aside, talk to them, and tell them what they would gain and how they could go about becoming members." In 1975, Devaki was appointed Wanita MIC secretary and Wanita deputy president in 1984 (a position she held for 10 years).
She also served as vice-president of the Selangor
MIC and chairman of the Selangor Wanita MIC. She became the first chairman of the MIC marriage bureau which was set up in 1984.
Currently, she is Chairman of MIC Syed Putra branch. She continues to recruit women members for MIC and encourage MIC members to register as voters.
when Devaki helped take care of the riot victims and homeless, numbering around 3,500, at Stadium Merdeka
. She was in charge of the medical clinic, and continued serving there for several months until all the victims had been cared for and released.
She was a committee member of the Indian Welfare Society, the Family Planning Association of Selangor, the Pure Life Society and chairman of the St John's Ambulance Association. She served on the Social Welfare Committee of Kuala Lumpur for over 15 years and was a committee member of the Tengku Budriah Orphanage and the Serendah
Boys Home. She is also a Juvenile Court adviser.
Devaki, an active member in women organisations, is also an Executive Council member of the National Council of Women's Organisation (NCWO). She was also instrumental in the passing of the Guardianship Act 1999. "We had to canvass even from the opposition, and the National Council of Women's Organisation (NCWO) was the main vehicle. What took 12 years was worth it as it managed to allow single women to take care of their children."
Municipal council
A municipal council is the local government of a municipality. Specifically the term can refer to the institutions of various countries that can be translated by this term...
in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
in 1952. She is currently a life member of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).
Early life
Of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, Devaki was born in Port DicksonPort Dickson
Port Dickson or PD to locals is a beach and holiday destination situated about 32 km from Seremban and 90 km from Kuala Lumpur. It is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan in Peninsular Malaysia...
, Negri Sembilan, and was the eldest of six children. Her father was acting controller of Post and Telecoms Malaya, and her mother was a college-trained Tamil school teacher.
She was educated at St. Mary's School, Kuala Lumpur
St. Mary's School, Kuala Lumpur
St. Mary's School, locally known as SMK St. Mary in Malay, is a public all-girls secondary school located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Each student in St. Mary's is also known as St. Marian....
. Upon graduation she became a school teacher. In 1949, she became an active member of the Selangor Indian Association where she served as chairman of the entertainment and social committee. She was also actively involved in the Women's International Club
General Federation of Women's Clubs
The General Federation of Women's Clubs , founded in 1890, is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service...
where she spent her time raising funds for disaster victims.
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Independence of Malaya Party
In December 1951, Devaki learned from her husband that the community had nominated her to stand for election in the Kuala Lumpur Municipal elections. She was then approached by the late Dato' Onn JaafarOnn Jaafar
Dato' Sir Onn bin Ja'afar, KBE was a Malay politician and a Menteri Besar of Johore in Malaysia, then Malaya. He was the founder of United Malays National Organization and was also responsible for the social economic welfare of the Malays by setting up the Rural Industrial Development Authority...
to become a member of the Independence of Malaya Party
Independence of Malaya Party
The Independence of Malaya Party was a political party in British-ruled Malaya that stood for political independence. Founded by Onn Ja'afar after he left UMNO in 1951, it opposed the UMNO policy of Malay supremacy....
(IMP). "When I stood as a candidate, I needed help to address the audience, so I would sit with Datuk Onn and another lawyer, R. Ramani, at his office," she recalls, adding that the IMP quarters were in what is now the landmark Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Sultan Abdul Samad Building
The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is located in front of the Dataran Merdeka and the Royal Selangor Club, by Jalan Raja in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
. In her 1952 election manifesto, she stated, "I will interest myself particularly in the lot of the women of Kuala Lumpur and in extending the programme of social work already carried out by the municipality." Devaki won election to the Municipal Council, thus becoming the first woman in the country to be elected to public office.
In 1955, she stood for a second term for the municipal council in Bangsar
Bangsar
Bangsar, also Bungsar , is an affluent residential suburb on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, lying about south-west of the city centre. It is part of the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency...
, Kuala Lumpur, and won. After her victory, she was paraded in an open-top car, accompanied by over 50 cars along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is the famous road and streets in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This road is named after the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman.-Attractions:...
, Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysian Indian Congress
After the election, Devaki became a member of the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC), which was then only a social and welfare association. She contested for the Sentul constituency in the 1959 state election under the AllianceBarisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
ticket but lost.
She also was a champion for the involvement of women in the Malaysian political scene. In those days, most women stayed at home. Wanita (Women) MIC was created in 1975. Devaki recruited women throughout the nation for this branch of the party, with considerable her success. "No one taught them to come out as they were shy and had strict upbringings. Wherever they opened branches in MIC, I would open a women's branch. I will take the women aside, talk to them, and tell them what they would gain and how they could go about becoming members." In 1975, Devaki was appointed Wanita MIC secretary and Wanita deputy president in 1984 (a position she held for 10 years).
She also served as vice-president of the Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
MIC and chairman of the Selangor Wanita MIC. She became the first chairman of the MIC marriage bureau which was set up in 1984.
Currently, she is Chairman of MIC Syed Putra branch. She continues to recruit women members for MIC and encourage MIC members to register as voters.
Social Contributions
Devaki joined the Civil Defence Corp in 1953 where she underwent training in fire fighting and welfare. She was later made an instructor. Her intensive training paid off during the May 1969 riotsMay 13 Incident
The 13 May Incident is a term for the Sino-Malay sectarian violences in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia, which began on 13 May 1969...
when Devaki helped take care of the riot victims and homeless, numbering around 3,500, at Stadium Merdeka
Stadium Merdeka
Stadium Merdeka is a sports stadium, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was initially erected for Malaysia's declaration of independence on 31 August 1957....
. She was in charge of the medical clinic, and continued serving there for several months until all the victims had been cared for and released.
She was a committee member of the Indian Welfare Society, the Family Planning Association of Selangor, the Pure Life Society and chairman of the St John's Ambulance Association. She served on the Social Welfare Committee of Kuala Lumpur for over 15 years and was a committee member of the Tengku Budriah Orphanage and the Serendah
Serendah
Serendah is a town in the Hulu Selangor district of Selangor, Malaysia. One of the popular tourist spot in Serendah is Perigi Tujuh Serendah.-History:The area developed due to the tin mines...
Boys Home. She is also a Juvenile Court adviser.
Devaki, an active member in women organisations, is also an Executive Council member of the National Council of Women's Organisation (NCWO). She was also instrumental in the passing of the Guardianship Act 1999. "We had to canvass even from the opposition, and the National Council of Women's Organisation (NCWO) was the main vehicle. What took 12 years was worth it as it managed to allow single women to take care of their children."
Family life
Her husband, P. Krishnan, was a businessman and was not involved in politics. He died in 1998. She has three children and five grandchildren.Awards and recognition
- In 1974, Devaki was honoured by Queen Elizabeth with the Serving Sister of St John Award for her St John's Ambulance activities.
- In 1985, she was named Tokoh Wanita by the National Council of Women Organisation (NCWO) and Sevai Mamani at the World Hindu Women Conference. Devaki was awarded the 1991 Avon-Tan Sri Fatimah award and Tun Fatimah Award by NCWO for her welfare services.
- In August 1995, she was conferred the Panglima Setia Mahkota by the Yang di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan AgongThe Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
, entitling her to use the title Tan Sri. She became the first Malaysian Sri Lankan woman to received the award.