FONDLY known as "Aunty Bersih," Anne Ooi, the former Convent Datuk Keramat English language teacher from Penang, died in Australia.
Her daughter Elaine Petra Pedley posted on Facebook that her beloved septuagenarian mother had passed on and said:
"It was the most beautiful passing of Anne on to her maker. We held her till the end. And sang and talked to her. It was all very sudden, as she would have wanted, to not be a burden to anyone, to be free, to go home. Her earthly form will be repatriated back to Malaysia. Details of the funeral to come. Thank you all for your love and prayers."
Ooi, 78, who came into the limelight for her fortitude and courage to attend the Bersih rallies in the mid-2000s (a series of mass national protests held to seek clean and fair elections), was visiting her daughter in Australia when she was taken ill.
Ooi was detained by the police during such rallies in Kuala Lumpur and immediately drew attention to herself because she was a senior citizen.
In the brief interviews she gave, Ooi spoke of the fact that she was a retired school teacher from Penang, an ordinary person, who felt there was something wrong in the country.
She felt that the country was heading in the wrong direction, hence her participation in the Bersih rallies where she braved the chemical-laced water cannons and detention.
Her legacy is such that Ooi grew to become a symbol for the protestors in many rallies.
She had also spent time in prison, but despite this, she was determined to fight on.
Bersih in their Facebook also said they were saddened to learn that Aunty Bersih had passed away.
"The iconic image of Aunty Bersih dressed in a bright yellow T-shirt and holding white chrysanthemums, drenched with chemical-laced water outside the Tung Shin Hospital, became the defining image of the Bersih 2 rally.
"She represented thousands, if not millions, of ordinary Malaysian citizens who care about our nation enough to speak up and do something when things are not right.
"Deepest condolences to her family. She is an icon who will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, Aunty Bersih," said the post by Bersih. - The Vibes, March 26, 2024
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