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 altOn January 9, 2010, we lost one of the most prominent women figures our country ever had. Known as a freedom fighter back in our pre-independence years, Tun Dr Fatimah Hashim was a Malaysian who made more histories than any other Malaysian women throughout our time.
She started her political journey as a great nationalist in 1947, when she joined UMNO. In 1956, she was the head of Kaum Ibu Malaya which later became known as Wanita UMNO, the women’s wing for UMNO. She held the position for 16 years. In May 20, 1969, Tun Fatimah recorded a history when she was appointed as a Minister of Welfare Service, becoming the first woman to ever be appointed as a Minister in the Cabinet.
Tun Fatimah was born on December 5th, 1924, in Parit Kurma, Muar, Johor. She received her early education at Sekolah Melayu Lelaki Parit Kurm (Parit Kurma Malay Boys School), Muar, because no school for girls were established at the area during the time.
She then continued her education to Sekolah Melayu Perempuan Mersing (Mersing Malay Girl School) and took night classes to learn English language with a teacher from Johor Bahru Convent School.
During her years of schooling, Tun Fatimah showed her interest to serve in welfare service. Another aspect that made her stand out among other students is her leadership quality. She was appointed as head student during her time at Sekolah Melayu Perempuan Mersing and was selected as a leader for several other student associations.
Her political carrier started when she joined Kampung Nong Chik, Johor Bahru UMNO Kaum Ibu Movement and held position as a treasurer in 1947. She was only 21 years of age back then.
In 1956, she followed her husband, Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Yusuf who was assigned to serve in Perak Government office. While at state, she was selected as Chief of Perak Kaum Ibu Movement and later in the year, she was appointed as Chief of Malaya Kaum Ibu Movement, replacing Khadijah Sidek.
As a Chief of Kaum Ibu UMNO, she was automatically appointed as Vice President of UMNO and became the member of the UMNO Supreme Council Working Committee, UMNO Finance Committee and Committee Members of Politics. During her service in Kaum Ibu Movement, she had encourage and brought many young women to involved in politics and joined UMNO at once.
In 1959, she once again followed her husband to relocate, this time to Kedah. During this year, she was selected as a candidate for election at Jitra-Padang Terap parliamentary constituencies, which she record a victory to become a member of parliament. She repeated her winning streak at the parliamentary constituencies for the next two general elections.
On May 20, 1969, a national history was written when Tun Fatimah was appointed as a Minister of Walfare Service because she was the first woman to hold the ministry office in the country. Along with her husband, Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Yusuf who was a Minister of Law during the time, they made up the first and only couple to both be ministers in the country’s cabinet. As a first woman minister in the country, she was invited to give speech and lecture in many seminars, forums and conferences at numerous places, in and outside the country.
Tun Fatimah also active in social movements especially in women's organizations. In 1962, as a Chief of Kaum Ibu Umno, she and several other leading women figures started the celebration of Women’s Day, which is celebrated on August 25 every year. It is still celebrated until today.
Right after the Women’s Day was launched, National Council of Women’s Organizations (NCWO) was established. NCWO is a coalition of women’s organization in country and functioned as a organizer for Women’s Day and also to handle issues regarding Malaysian women. Tun Fatimah leads NCWO for 24 years.
On January 29, 2010, Tun Fatimah died from old age and was laid rest besides her husband’s grave in Makam Pahlawan, Kuala Lumpur. She made history yet again even when she had departed by being the first woman to be laid to rest there. Related News
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