Datuk Rasammah Bhupalan, a trailblazer in education and a prominent advocate for women’s rights, passed away yesterday at the age of 98. A wake is being held today at her residence in Kuala Lumpur.
Her funeral service will take place tomorrow at Wesley Methodist Church in Kuala Lumpur, followed by a cremation at Nirvana Crematorium in Section 21, Shah Alam.
According to a funeral notice issued by the family, the wake and funeral services will be livestreamed via Zoom. In place of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Hospis Malaysia or the YWCA Vocational Training Opportunity Centre — an institution founded by Rasammah herself.
At the young age of 16, Rasammah joined the women’s wing of the Indian National Army to fight against British colonial rule. She was stationed in what was then Burma, but had to return to Malaya in 1945 after contracting malaria.
After graduating with a degree from the University of Malaya in Singapore in June 1953, Rasammah Bhupalan began her career in education as a teacher at the Methodist Girls’ School in Penang, marking the start of a lifelong commitment to empowering students through knowledge.
In 1960, driven by her passion for equality and advocacy, she founded the Women Teachers’ Union, a platform dedicated to championing the rights and welfare of female educators in Malaysia. Her leadership and dedication to education later led to her appointment as principal of the Methodist Girls’ School in Kuala Lumpur, where she continued to inspire generations of students and educators.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of education, Rasammah was honoured with the prestigious Tokoh Guru award in 1986. Beyond education, she played a significant role in advancing women’s rights, notably as a co-founder of the National Council of Women’s Organisations, which brought together various groups to collectively work toward gender equality and social progress in Malaysia.
Datuk Rasammah Bhupalan leaves behind a powerful legacy as a fearless freedom fighter, dedicated educator, and tireless advocate for women’s rights. Her lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and education has left an indelible mark on Malaysian society. As the nation bids farewell to one of its most inspiring pioneers, her contributions will continue to resonate through the lives she touched and the institutions she helped shape.
Source: Malay Mail
