Fatimah honoured with a state funeral

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s first woman minister, Tun Dr Fatimah Hashim, 85, who died of old age at her residence on Saturday night, was given a state funeral.

She was buried at the warrior’s mausoleum, beside the National Mosque, after Zohor prayers yesterday.

Her coffin was draped with the Jalur Gemilang and carried out from the mosque after the pra-yers. Dr Fatimah was buried beside her husband Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Yusoff, who was a former Attorney-General and former Law and National Development Minister.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor attended the funeral.

Najib said Dr Fatimah contributed much to the party and nation.

“She was a fighter, one of the outstanding women who set the foundation for women’s struggle in the early stage. She also contributed a great deal to the Government and country as a Cabinet minister,’’ he said.

Last October, Dr Fatimah was named as one of the four Merdeka winners for her contributions to the nation.

Women, Family and Commu­nity Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who was among those present at the funeral, said Dr Fatimah was a pioneering woman leader in Umno.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in a statement, said Dr Fatimah would be remembered by the people as a mother and mentor.

He said she worked hard for the betterment of women in the country and to ensure that Umno’s struggles were successful.