Renowned women’s rights activist Lim Chin Chin passes away at 68

PETALING JAYA: Influential civil rights activist Lim Chin Chin has passed away at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of fighting for women’s rights over several decades.

Human rights group Aliran, of which Lim was a member, announced her passing in an article on their website on July 20.

Lim, a prominent figure in Malaysia’s civil rights movement, was previously detained without trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA) during the infamous Operation Lalang arrests on the night of Oct 27, 1987.

During her detention, Lim endured a harrowing 60 days in solitary confinement before her release seven months later on June 3, 1988.

Her photo appeared on the front page of The Star on Oct 28, 1987, captioned “Miss Lim Chin Chin – Aliran women’s leader.”

The Aliran article bid farewell with the headline, “Farewell, Lim Chin Chin, activist, Operation Lalang detainee.”

Her efforts, alongside fellow activists, eventually contributed to the abolition of the ISA in 2012.

Lim’s passing has prompted an outpouring of condolences and tributes from many Malaysians, including former Batu MP Chua Tian Chang. Better known as Tian Chua, he reflected on how Lim’s detainment story captivated him as a student in Australia.

“Her sacrifices, alongside those activists of the yesteryears, paved the way for today’s movements.

‘Her unwavering spirit will continue to inspire us forward. Rest well Lim, your legacy lives on in our hearts as well as in the fight for justice,” Tian Chua said in an Instagram post on Monday (July 21), extending his deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.

Lim is believed to have passed away at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s hematology ward, as reported by a news portal.