SHAH ALAM: Human and women's rights activist Zaiton Kasim (pic) passed away at 5am yesterday, after months of battling cancer. She was 41.
Zaiton, affectionately known as Toni, died in her sleep at her sister's home in Batu Tiga, Shah Alam. She was laid to rest at 1pm at the Batu Tiga Muslim cemetery.
Her peers described her as "witty, passionate, a wonderfully caring person, one who had an infectious smile and a great sense of humour, a defender of human rights, and one whose heart and soul was in her advocacy".
Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (Arrow) director Saira Shameem said she was "multi-diverse and a very strong lady".
"She was involved in so many things – film, TV, drama, human rights advocacy, women's rights, Islam, AIDS and so many other issues.
"Toni was the kind of person who never said no to any challenge, especially if it was about helping others," she said.
Among the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Zaiton was involved in was Sisters-in-Islam (SIS), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Joint Action Committee (JAC), Arrow and Women's Candidacy Initiative (WCI), where she became the first independent woman candidate to run in the 1999 general election.
"She contested for the Selayang seat. She didn't win, but she reduced the majority-vote by 30,000.
"She was planning to run again in the recent general election, but she was already ill then," Saira said.
Zaiton was diagnosed with fourth-stage duodenal cancer in February, and underwent chemotherapy once. She also practised reiki as an alternative treatment.
Women's Aid Organisation president Meera Samanther said the best thing about Zaiton was her ability to relate and reach out to the "everyday folks".
"She had that knack and ability that not many people have," she said.
SIS programme manager Norhayati Kaprawi said Zaiton's passing was "a great loss to all of us".
"Advocacy was her life," she added.
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