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Irene Fernandez: Ten years already

This year is the tenth anniversary of the death of Malaysian activist and former YCW leader, Irene Fernandez.

After working for the Malaysian YCW and becoming a member of the International YCW International Team during the 1970s, she became involved in trade union and human rights work, working particularly with exploited migrant women.

During the 1980s together with her sister Aegile, she co-founded the Malaysia NGO, Tenaganita.

After she criticised the Malaysian government over the deaths of detained migrant workers, she was tried on charges of “maliciously publishing false news.” After the longest trial in Malaysian history, she was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison, but freed on appeal.

The iHeard podcast series remembers her in this week’s broadcast. Click on the link below to listen:

Workers: Irene Fernandez (iHeart)

Irene Fernandez (Joseph Cardijn Digital Library)

Remembering Malaysia’s ‘barefoot’ cooperator

Paul Sinnappan, a former YCS, YCW and Cardijn Community leader and mentor, who played a huge role in developing credit unions and social enterprises, particularly among plantation workers of Indian descent, died aged 71 on 24 May 2021.

“With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved father, Paul Sinnappan. He was a well-known social activist, defender of human rights, community builder and pioneer of ‘the’ micro-credit system for the poor,” said his son Arul Prakkash, announcing his father’s passing on social media.

“His work spread across the globe. He’s my inspiration to continuing the struggle for the poor, marginalised and to fight oppression everywhere. I believe he touched and inspired many others, too.”

Another significant detail about Sinnappan comes from Lawrence John, former director of Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese Catholic Social Communications Centre and present Signis International vice-president.

“Sinnappan earned his moniker Barefoot Cooperator for discarding his footwear whenever he walked to the kampung, plantations and Orang Asli settlements on his missions. It was a symbolic gesture of his, to be in solidarity with the poor, who accompanied him without sandals on their feet,” says John.

Paul’s influence was felt across many communities as well as within the Malaysian Catholic Church.

On many occasions, he shared his yet-to-be realised dream of a training centre that would continue the formation work that he had pioneered.

CCI convenor, MJ Ruben recalled Paul Sinnappan’s contribution to the Cardijn Community.

“You were part of CCI initiative right from 2006 when we met you to ask for your cooperation to build CCI. Your simplicity, analytical skills, expertise in cooperatives and micro credit and deep attachment to your roots in India are some of your outstanding characteristics.

“You were part of CCI international events in 2009 Malaysia, 2011 Bangkok, 2012 Manila; 2014 Malaysia; 2016 India and many other times we met as a team in Malaysia. You also attended the CC India meet at Nagercoil in 2010 and encouraged the leaders. We still cherish your stay in my place alone and with Rebecca Sinnappan and
Nithy Sinnappan.

“Your contribution to the Cardijn movements will never be forgotten Paul. You were an inspiration to me and more than anything a personal friend.

“You have done your part Paul as a great leader from the grass roots.

In December 2020 in what was probably his last published article, Paul told the story of his origins in a Dalit plantation family and his lifelong commitment to the cause of people of low castes or even none, many of whom were Christians. He passed away on 24 May, Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians.

Condolences to Rebecca, his wife, who shared his journey and commitment, and to their children and families.

Paul Sinnappan, In search of social justice, human rights of Dalits (Dalit Christian News)

Paul Sinnappan: Community organiser, reservoir of knowledge (Aliran)

Multi-ethnic communities saddened by ‘Barefoot Cooperator’ Paul Sinnappan’s passing (The Vibes)

Community Service Leader, Paul Sinnappan Passes Away At 71 (Varnam Malaysia)

Bringing God’s Perspective into the Domain of Businesses: HISTEAM Kingdom Economy for Social Change Workshop (Christianity Malaysia)

SJA helps people ‘find real answers’

“Much of the negative attitude among Malaysians today can be understood through the ‘broken windows’ effect – where the sense that no one cares perpetuates further indifference and negativity. This is visible when looking at the social condition and facilities around low-cost housing.”

Raymund Jagan, in his intervention during the Pastoral Spiral session, gave a comprehensive overview of the various social issues affecting children, youth, families and the poor, and talked about their root causes and challenges across diverse age groups within Malaysian society. He was the first speaker at the Pastoral Spiral session organised online by Caritas Malaysia on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Raymund is an accredited counsellor and lecturer in the Diploma in Social Work course at Methodist College, Kuala Lumpur, and used to work with the Welfare Service Department for 30 years.

The next speaker, Alex Arokiam, introduced the 45 participants from Sabah, Sarawak, Semenanjung and Brunei, to the See-Judge-Act methodology developed by Cardinal Joseph Cardijn. He explained how, through everyday contacts in one’s ‘milieu’ or world of life and work we can enter into the lives of people, create awareness and journey with them.

Alex has worked as an organiser and trainer for the National Young Christian Students movement, accompanied Young Christian Workers movement, and organised squatter communities. He has been running a shelter for homeless men living with HIV/AIDS in Batu Arang for many years. He emphasised the importance of finding out the real answers and not giving imaginative ones. He shared how he applied the See-Judge-Act method and responded to a truant student and a father who gambled, and stressed the life-giving outcomes of his actions.

Then Veronica Retnam, a PhD candidate who is currently conducting research on community kindergarten initiatives spoke. She began as a university Catholic student leader responding to the Church’s call to social justice. She shared her research findings on marginalised children and single mothers from the micro to the macro view and explained how they created a network to advocate for the needs of these mothers. Veronica shared about her personal faith journey in serving the poor.

After an active and refreshing panel discussion, the overall synthesis was presented by Charles Bertille, executive secretary to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Caritas Malaysia. He reflected on how all the speakers and participants who had shared during the panel exchange had actually been ‘doing theology’ in daily life through their faith reflections and responses.

These two poles, of faith and tradition and life experiences, are vital in living out our Christian life – while faith gives roots, human experiences challenge our faith to grow in understanding and action. He linked this to the vision of Pope Francis for a missionary, merciful and synodal Church – where all are called, by virtue of their baptism, to animate every space, every activity, every human relation according to the spirit of the Gospel.

Following the Pastoral Spiral talk, Caritas Malaysia, with the help of the resource persons, is ready to support small groups of people who wish to journey together in practicing the See-Judge-Act in their daily lives in a structured manner. To participate in the small groups or the CD course, contact admin@caritasmalaysia.net.

Caritas Malaysia is the official arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia (CBCM) and its goal is to promote the social mission of the Malaysian Church. It consists of the nine diocesan offices and the national office. Caritas promotes the social mission of the Church through its works of charity and relief, integral human development, care for creation, advocacy and social services.

SOURCE

Putting faith into action: a call to bear witness (Herald Malaysia)

Farewell human rights defender Aegile Fernandez

Former Malaysian YCW leader, Aegile Fernandez, who was also the co-founder of the human rights NGO, Tenaganita, died on 9 March at the age of 72, Herald Malaysia reports.

“Aegile has been a warm glow of comfort in so many lives and a bright and enduring light in the fight for justice and equality. We ask that if you are comfortable, please light a candle for her today,” her family said in an announcement.

“Importantly, she’d want you to keep up her mission for justice, her practice of kindness, her open heart to all who have the least.

“In the words of Aegile, her reminder to us of her mission in life: Ask me not what’s my race or creed, just take me in my hour of need,” the announcement read.

Aegile hailed from the rubber plantations of Sungai Petani, Kedah, and was the younger sister of Tenaganita’s founder Irene Fernandez who died in 2014.

She joined the YCW at the age of sixteen, beginning a social commitment that led to her lifetime of work with prisoners, sex workers, drug addicts, HIV/Aids patients, domestic abuse victims, refugees, human trafficking victims, and abused children.

She joined Tenaganita in 1993 as her sister was setting up a migrant and human trafficking desk.

She vowed that she could never stop her work because there is so much to be done.

“We have one fewer human rights defender of migrants, women and the poor,” commented federal parliamentarian, Charles Santiago, another former YCW leader. “But her legacy will carry on in the work of Tenaganita and many more. Farewell, my friend. Rest in peace.”

University of Nottingham Malaysia’s Bridget Welsh described Fernandez as a warrior for justice, adding that her spirit would live on despite her passing.

“For decades she fought for the rights of migrants and Malaysians selflessly and worked towards a more tolerant, kind and inclusive world,” she said.

Social and political activist Ambiga Sreenevasan also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the Tenaganita co-founder, saying she spent her life “fighting the good fight”.

SOURCE

Tenaganita co-founder Aegile Fernandez dies (Herald Malaysia)

PHOTO

Lim Huey Teng / Malaysiakini

Farewell to ‘fearless fighter’ Irene Fernandez

Former Malaysian YCW fulltime worker and IYCW International Team member, Irene Fernandez, a well-known labour and human rights activist has died following a heart attack.

Her sister Josie told Malaysiakini that Irene died at 10.58am on 31 March 2014 at the Coronary Care Unit at Serdang Hospital south of Kuala Lumpur.

“Her organs were all fine but her heart stopped. The doctors tried their best to resuscitate her.

“Irene was very brave and courageous and as I speak to you now, I can see that her face is so serene, so calm,” she told Malaysiakini.

“We are celebrating Irene’s beautiful and powerful life… People of all faiths and from all communities are welcome for the prayers and for the funeral service.”

The funeral will take place at Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Shah Alam, Selangor, on 3 April at 3.00pm.

Irene was the daughter of the Indian migrants. She witnessed the poor condition of Malaysian workers employed in the rubber plantation sector. Her parents were part of the workforce.

After initially working as a school teacher, Irene became a fulltime worker for the Malaysian YCW from 1970. She later became a member of the IYCW Asian Extension Team and a member of the IYCW International Team elected in 1975.

In 1991, she founded the women workers’ organisation Tenaganita. After exposing the treatment of detained Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia, she was charged with “maliciously publishing false news” and found guilty after a seven year trial. The conviction was finally set aside on appeal in 2008.

Former Malaysian YCW leader now Federal parliamentarian, Charles Santiago, described her as “a fearless fighter, who stood for people who had no one to stand for them.”

“I have worked closely with her on human rights issues, and taken part in international conferences to champion the rights of the ordinary person.

“Malaysia and the international community has lost a great person who advocated for justice and human rights.

“Condolences to members of her family, Joe, Aegile, Josie, her children and those who have been privileged to meet her,” Santiago said in a statement.

“You always testified that ‘it was the YCW which formed you and it was Cardijn who motivated you to commit yourself to the service of the suffering masses’,” CCI Secretary General MJ Ruben said in a tribute. “Thank you Irene for being a role model to us! “

“When we bid farewell to you Irene, we assured you that we shall continue to promote the vision, spirituality and methodology of Cardijn – who formed you and many of us.

“Thank you Irene for all your dreams and accomplishments! Rest in peace,” Ruben wrote.

“We mourn the passing of one of the greatest leaders formed by the Cardijn movement,” CCI convenor Stefan Gigacz added. “We grieve with and express our condolences to all her family and loved ones.”

This article will be updated as information comes to hand.

Read the full CCI Tribute to Irene:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vIWfrD6hF-i9BdCy4BvI5_FvBiE0MNCImwFF6LZKxZA/edit

CCI Pioneers page:

http://pioneers.josephcardijn.com/irene-fernandez

Tribute by CCI International Team adviser Charles Santiago

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/my-tribute-to-irene-fernandez-charles-santiago

FUNERAL

http://www.fz.com/video/grand-sendoff-migrants-heroine-irene-fernandez

http://www.fz.com/content/farewell-fighter-irene-fernandezs-funeral

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/well-wishers-says-last-goodbye-to-irene-fernandez

http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/04/02/irene-fernandez-the-voice-of-the-voiceless/

NEWS SOURCES

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/04/04/Hundreds-pay-last-respects-to-passionate-activist-Fernandez/

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/04/02/Fernandez-proud-to-be-daughter-of-migrant-worker/

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/03/31/Malaysians-pay-tribute-to-Irene-Fernandez/

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/495157-irene-fernandez-was-a-fearless-fighter.html

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1002028

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/258659

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/tenaganitas-irene-fernandez-dies-of-heart-failure

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-04-01/tributes-flow-after-malaysian-rights-activist-irene-fernandez-dies-aged-67/1288562

https://www.facebook.com/charlessantiago?fref=ts

CCI News

https://www.cardijn.info/2012/08/slavery-days-coming-back-warns-irene.html

http://archives.cardijn.info/cci-news/convictionandsentenceagainstirenefernandezsetaside

TRIBUTES

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/abdar-rahman-koya/article/irene-fernandezs-legacy-to-malaysian-muslims

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/259038

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2014/04/03/tribute-to-malaysian-activist-irene-fernandez/

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/world/asia/irene-fernandez-champion-of-oppressed-dies-at-67.html?_r=0

http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=254202:ignored-persecuted-by-the-bn-govt-but-irene-fernandez-died-not-in-vain-msia-loses-one-of-its-greatest-daughters&Itemid=2#axzz2xckeLrNj

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2014/04/01/a-life-dedicated-to-peoples-struggle/

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1026929

http://www.dw.de/the-voice-of-malaysian-migrants-is-no-more/g-17532712

http://aliran.com/civil-society-voices/2014-civil-society-voices/irene-fernandez-life-full-meaning-dedicated-peoples-struggle/

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/258722

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/irene-fernandez-activist-friend-and-a-great-daughter-of-malaysia-bersih-2.0

http://www.malaysiandigest.com/news/495157-irene-fernandez-was-a-fearless-fighter.html

http://www.hrw.org/node/12431

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/irene-fernandez-s-passion-and-dedication-for-human-rights-will-be-missed-us-ambassador-1.544171

Slavery days coming back, warns Irene Fernandez

A Cambodian domestic worker in Malaysia told human rights activist Irene Fernandez that she used to suck the fish bones left on her employer’s dinner plate, because she was only given leftovers to eat.

Another said she was forced to cook, clean and care for children from 5 a.m. until past midnight, the New York Times reports.

“It’s so dehumanizing,” Ms. Fernandez told the paper. “To me, it’s just slavery days coming back — and that’s just frightening.”

Ms. Fernandez’s first job was as a teacher, but at the age of 23, she left the security of a government job for the life of an activist with the Malaysian YCW and later the women’s rights movement.

The accounts of abuse she has heard led Ms. Fernandez to conclude that Malaysia does not do enough to protect migrant workers, she told The Jakarta Post, an Indonesian newspaper, in May.

But the Malaysian government was not happy.

“While there may not be specific laws for migrant workers, Malaysia has sufficient laws to protect all workers, including foreign workers,” Ms. Maznah was quoted as saying in The Star, a Malaysian newspaper.

A police spokesman said Monday that the investigation was still under way and it had not yet been decided whether to charge Ms. Fernandez. Charges may be less likely given that Prime Minister Najib Razak recently announced that he intends to repeal the Sedition Act.

SOURCE

Malaysian Activist Speaks Out for Migrant Workers (New York Times)

Sarasvathy wins Yayori human rights award

Ex-YCW leader, Sarasvathy Muthu, who was arrested recently under Malaysia’s harsh internal security laws, has taken out this year’s Yayori Award for her work with marginalised people.

The Yayori Award honours women who work at the grassroots level with socially marginalised people to create 21st century free from war and discrimination against women. Established in 2005, it recognises those who best emulate the passion and courage of the late Yayori Matsui, a pioneer woman journalist and women’s right activist in Japan.

This year’s winner is Saraswathy Muthu (Saras). She was chosen for her tireless work at raising public awareness of the plight of marginalised communities – and in particular, women – in Malaysia.

The award ceremony will take place in Tokyo on 3rd December 2011.

More info on Yayori Award,please visit the site: http://www.wfphr.org/yayori/English/top.html

SOURCE

Malaysian woman activist wins international human rights award (Malaysiakini/YouTube)

Malaysian activists released

The Malaysian activists known as the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) 6 were released on Friday evening at 5.30pm Kuala Lumpur time, CCI sources say.

The release came shortly after Dr Michael Jeyakumar had announced that he was beginning a hunger strike.

Ex-YCW Sarasvathy Muthu was among those released.

The six PSM members – Choo Chon Kai, Sarat Babu, M Sarasvathy, M Sukumaran, A Letchumanan and Sungai Siput parliamentarian Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj – were initially detained on suspicion of planning to wage war against the King, reports Malaysiakini.

Malaysian ex-YCW Sarasvathy arrested

Former Malaysian YCW leader Ms Sarasvathy Muthu is one of six activists who have been detained under Malaysia’s harsh internal security laws.

Sarasvathy and five other leaders of the Socialist Party of Malaysia are being held under the Emergency (Public Order and Crime Prevention) Ordinance on the grounds that they were the “main movers” of the pro-democracy rally on July 9, 2011, organized by Bersih (Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections).

They had initially been criminally charged with “preparing to wage war against the king,” evidently based on their possession of T-shirts with portraits of dead or long retired Communist Party leaders. After they were released on July 2 on bail, they were immediately re-arrested under the Emergency Ordinance, Human Rights Watch says in a statement calling for their release.

Known as the PSM 6 r the EO6 those arrested are: Michaeal Jeyakumar Devaraj, PSM member of parliament for Sungai Siput; Sukumaran Munisamy, PSM Central Committee member; Letchumanan Aseer Patham, PSM Sungai Siput branch secretary; Choo Chon Kai, PSM international coordinator; Sarasvathy Muthu, PSM national deputy chairwoman; and Sarat Babu Raman, PSM youth chairman.

“The Malaysian government has replaced its bogus criminal charges with the hammer of preventive detention to lock away political opposition leaders,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The PSM 6 should be immediately released whether or not they organized the peaceful July 9 rally.”

Lawyers for the detainees told Human Rights Watch that the “PSM 6” have been held in solitary confinement, subjected to continual and intense interrogations, and blindfolded both in detention and during transport to meet with legal counsel. Habeas corpus hearings, to determine the lawfulness of their detention, are scheduled for July 22 in Kuala Lumpur High Court, yet it is unclear whether the police will permit any of the detainees to attend.

The police and the Attorney General’s Chambers are expected to argue that detention under the Emergency Ordinance is both justifiable and lawful. Malaysia’s Emergency Ordinance permits the police, on their own initiative, to hold anyone they deem a threat to public order for 60 days. The home minister may extend detention for two more years, renewable indefinitely in two-year increments.

Twenty-one other PSM party members were released on bail on July 4 after being charged under the Societies Act with acting on behalf of an unlawful organization and under the Internal Security Act with being in possession of subversive documents. Available information indicates that the 21 are being prosecuted for engaging in their rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly, Human Rights Watch said. Their release on RM8000 (US$2,670) bail appears grossly excessive in light of their alleged crimes.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia is a legally registered political party and currently has one member in the national assembly. When it began its campaign on June 24, its agenda included promoting participation in Bersih’s July 9 march and educating Malaysians about issues the ruling government coalition were not addressing, such as combating government corruption, calling attention to growing income gaps, and raising concerns about increased ethnic tensions and deteriorating democratic institutions in the country.

Human Rights Watch has repeatedly called on the Malaysian government to end the use of all preventive detention legislation, including the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance, the Internal Security Act, the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985, and the Restricted Residency Act 1933.

“It’s high time that Malaysia’s leaders recognize that democratic governance means engaging with the political opposition rather than throwing them in jail,” Robertson said.

Sarasvathy Muthuhas joined the YCW during the 1980s where she organized textile and food industry workers in Jelapang and Tasek factory level and also the state level to form a union body involved in picketing and strike.

From that time, she has travelled to various parts of SEA to represent Malaysia at conferences. Saras is actively involved in women’s groups networks such as AWAM and WDC in discussing the challenges of the female working community.

As a full time activist in Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Saras contended in the 2008 elections for DUN Jelapang. Even though she lost, she served the constituency with a big heart, Malaysia Today says.

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