Women's rights activist Lim Chin Chin dies

 

Former women’s rights activist Theresa Lim Chin Chin has died at the age of 68, at 3.30am today.

Her son, Daniel Jeyachristi Anthony, a former broadcast journalist at KiniTV, confirmed Lim’s passing at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s haemotology ward.

“There were complications arising from cancer.

“She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma earlier this week. She was too weak to start chemotherapy and deteriorated further,” Daniel told Malaysiakini.

She also leaves behind her husband, Xavier Desayagam Anthony and younger son, Joel Jothichristi Anthony, as well as two grandsons.

As an activist, Lim was involved in various organisations, including the All Women’s Action Society (Awam), Women’s Development Collective, as well as the Women in Ministry and Theology.

In 1987, Lim was arrested during the infamous Ops Lalang sweep and detained under the now-abolished Internal Security Act.

According to Aliran, at the time of her Ops Lalang arrest, she was involved in the WDC and Awam.

Lim’s photo was among those splashed on the front page of The Star on Oct 28, 1987, with the caption “Miss Lim Chin Chin – Aliran women’s leader”.

This harrowing account of her 60 days in solitary confinement was written shortly after her release.

Lim’s activism continued even after her release and in 2011 lent support to six PSM leaders at the time detained under the ISA. - Mkini