Women's Day: Country's first woman rep proud to have served the people

She was six years old when she witnessed a woman win an election in Sri Lanka. It was an unforgettable moment which inspired Tan Sri Devaki Krishnan to become a politician.

"It impressed upon me that women too could achieve success if we have the courage to do so," said the 93-year-old who became the first Malaysian woman to be elected to public office.

That was in 1952, when she won a seat on the Municipal Council in Kuala Lumpur. "That was the official start of my political involvement," she recalled.

Devaki, who was born in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, said she joined the Independence of Malaya Party at the invitation of its founder-president Datuk Onn Jaafar, who had left UMNO.

"The party committee unanimously chose me as a candidate without asking for my consent. It was quite surprising that they informed my husband before informing me," she said in an interview with Bernama in conjunction with National Women's Day.

She said her late businessman husband P. Krishnan was her pillar of strength who encouraged Devaki, who was a teacher then, to be involved in politics.

"He and my father-in-law decided to buy me a car and taught me to drive so that I could move easily during the election campaign," she recalled.

Devaki said there was a parade of over 50 cars in Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman after she was elected councillor for Bangsar.

"The moment I stood up in the open-top car and waved to the crowd, I knew that there were huge responsibilities for me to carry out. Today I'm proud that I served the people well," said Devaki, who has been involved in politics for more than 50 years.

After the election, Devaki became vice president of MIC, which was then only a social and welfare association.

"I was actively involved in various social welfare activities because my father always emphasised to me to help those in need without boundaries."

The eldest of six children said she helped to form the women's section in MIC and spent a lot of time encouraging women to play a bigger role in society as she traveled across the country recruiting women for the party.

She urged Malaysian women to unite and be brave enough to voice their views through the proper channels.

Devaki said they must fight for their common interests and share information.

"There should be networking among them. This way, through mutual support, women will have a bigger role in society, government and business," she said.

"Women need to stand united to improve their lives. Build strong networking and you'll find your way," Devaki said.