Anne Ooi (better known as Aunty Bersih), has passed away, aged 78.
This was announced by the electoral reform group in a post on X this morning.
“A former English teacher, she walked for Malaysian democracy on July 9, 2011, and encountered tear gas and water cannons.
“The iconic image of Aunty Bersih dressed in a bright yellow T-shirt and holding white chrysanthemums, drenched in chemical-laced water outside the Tung Shin Hospital, became the defining image of the Bersih 2.0 rally,” wrote the group in the tribute message.
According to Bersih, Ooi represented thousands, if not millions of ordinary Malaysians who cared about the nation enough to speak up and do something when things were not right.
“Deepest condolences to her family. She is an icon who will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, Aunty Bersih.”
“It was the most beautiful passing 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,” Pedley wrote.
Ooi took to the streets in the heart of KL together with tens of thousands of fellow Malaysians in the Bersih 2.0 rally to call for free and fair elections.
The iconic image earned her the nickname “the Malaysian Lady of Liberty”, and a Facebook following as well.
Ooi later admitted that she was stunned by the sudden attention she was getting online after the image went viral.
In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, the Penangite said that performances at the Five Arts Centre were an “awakening moment” about what was going on in the country. - Mkini
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