KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 — Datuk Rasammah Bhupalan, a trailblazer in education and a dedicated advocate for women’s rights, died today at the age of 98 due to natural causes.
Malaysia-India Heritage Society founder-president Prabhakaran Nair said Rasammah died at her residence in Damansara Heights at 9am.
“She died at home due to old age. Previously, she was unable to walk and wheelchair-bound,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.
A wake will be held tomorrow at Rasammah's home, while the funeral will take place on Thursday (May 15) at the Wesley Methodist Church, followed by cremation at Nirvana Crematorium, Section 21, Shah Alam.
Prabhakaran expressed his condolences, describing Rasammah as a remarkable leader who made significant contributions to the nation’s independence, education, and women's empowerment in Malaysia.
The Malaysian Organisation for Development of Indian Women in Career, Entrepreneurs and Professionals (MiWEPs) adviser Maria Rufina described Rasammah as a formidable trailblazer, educator, and social activist whose lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and the empowerment of women has left a profound and lasting impact on the nation.
“We are deeply honoured to have featured Datuk Rasammah in our Malaysian Indian Women Icon Coffee Table Book, a tribute that now stands as a lasting testament to her legacy.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched. May her soul rest in eternal peace, and may her legacy continue to ignite change for years to come,” she said in a statement.
The Indian High Commission in Malaysia also extended its deepest condolences on the passing of Rasammah, an Indian National Army (INA) veteran, who was a member of the Jhansi Regiment, the women’s wing of the INA, and fought for India’s independence.
“The High Commission salutes Datuk Rasammah for her selfless service as an INA veteran. She was also one of the earliest women involved in the fight for Malaysian (then Malaya) independence.
“She also fought for the rights of women in Malaysia and has successfully trained and empowered economically disadvantaged young women,” it said in a Facebook post.
Rasammah, born on May 1, 1927, to a family of educators, began her teaching career at the Methodist Boys’ School Kuala Lumpur (1959-1964) before serving as principal of Methodist Girls’ School Kuala Lumpur for 14 years until her retirement in 1982.
After that, she led Methodist College, Brickfields, as principal.
At the age of 16, she enlisted in the women’s wing of the INA to fight against British rule and was stationed in the then-Burma before returning to Malaya in 1945 due to malaria.
She founded the National Union of Women Teachers, successfully campaigned for equal pay for women educators in 1961, and championed key social causes, including education, women's rights, anti-drug campaigns, and social justice, through her work with organisations like the National Council of Women’s Organisations Malaysia (NCWO), and the Malaysian Anti-Drug Association (Pemadam).
— Bernama
