Tribute to toni kassim
Toni Kasim was one of the most inspiring human beings I would have had the privilege to meet. She was an internationally sought after trainer on issues of gender, sexuality and religious equality, having made a difference in the lives of everyone from abused housewives to transsexual sex workers to hardened ulamas. She was involved in so many things - film, TV, drama, human rights advocacy, women's rights, Islam, AIDS and so many other issues. Among the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Toni was involved in were Sisters in Islam (SIS), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), the Joint Action Committee (JAC) and Women's Candidacy Initiative (WCI), where she became the first independent woman candidate to run in the 1999 general election.
She was a living specimen of how an educated and honest person can reach other people regardless of their gender, race, political belief and religion. She was a true representative of public voice, she dedicated her entire life for the benefits of others, especially people who has been discriminated, she was a true human right activist, and I believe, if she would have came from western country there should be a memorial for her by now. She was the kind of person who never said 'No' to any challenge, especially if it was about helping others. Her commitment to eradicate discrimination is evident from the diversity of issues and communities that she has worked with. From poverty alleviation during her time with Community Aid Abroad, to land issues with United Nations Development Programme, to social issues affecting Muslim communities, to concerns related to the environment, equitable transportation, sustainable development and disaster management at various capacities and contexts, to working on health issues with vulnerable groups like sex workers and transgender communities, Toni Kasim has devoted a large part of her life making the connections between needs for institutional and social change with the lived realities of everyday people.
I first met this benevolent yet humble deity in one of my theatre attendance at the Annex, central market last year. I was one of the participants on the issue of gender, and Toni was one of the speakers. Her vigorous defender of the third gender surprised me, and she was the first activist who defensively protected the right of one mak nyah in mallaca when she had been beaten by the religious officer around april 2007, on the ground of obscene behavior in public. What the JAIM think they are to deprive the right of a human being, regardless of his or her gender? Aren’t they supposed to act based on Islamic faith? As far as I concern, Islam doesn’t allow their followers to behave like barbaric uncivilized people towards their own brother, and this has long disgusted Toni and other human right activist, or even us, as a civilized and conscious citizen.
I heard of her admittance to hospital through her mate in SIS (sister in Islam), Dura, also one of my best friend, and we were rushing to Central market buying a bouquet of roses, and arrived at Selayang Hospital Malaysia
She looked dull, so not like Toni everyone has known, a cheerful bubbly and friendly figure as when you meet her for the first time you will immediately feel comfortable, for a moment you will feel that you have known her forever. I remember one time I called her for just a silly question as I really wanted to know who was the winner of Malaysian project runway (her house mate was one of the project manager of the event). Of course she didn’t tell me, she really didn’t know who the winner was, but we chatted over other things like the fuel price and other conscious matters like bribery and dishonest act of politician nowadays. She told how a single piece of nuts and bolts worth not more than five ringgit each, bought by the government for almost rm500! This corruption didn’t surprise me, no wonder we have the price of fuel hike up to 80 cent per liter recently. Now, could anyone tell me, who else from the higher authority can treat an ordinary people better than her? Her loss cannot be replaced by anybody.
Toni had been hospitalized since early January this year, for typhoid and a debilitating duodenal ulcer. The ulcer had started to bleed again and that she also has problems with her liver, but was said to have been making good progress, or so I was told. But the day I visited her, the Dr had just diagnosed her with duodenal cancer, and it didn’t surprise me why she looked ill and dull, and she loss weight, a lot that she looked thin rather than her usual figure, a plump and jovial Toni. I made joke to her that at least there is some advantages being hospitalized, to lose weight. We chatted over the current issues, (at that time Malaysia
Allah loves her for the most; He privileged her and called her to meet Him earlier than us.
I consider myself as a laggard as I just recently become a friend to her, but still I am so thankful to Allah of such an encounter. She made a difference to us all - her sense of humor, love of people and passion for justice prevail even now to remind us of the endless tasks before us. She was tireless in her championing of open dialogue, political accountability and intelligent activism. In 1999, she became the first independent woman to run for elections, and though she didn't win, she reduced the majority in her Selayang constituency by 30,000 votes. She was going to run for elections this year when she had to be hospitalized. Should she win the seat, I belief she is now together with Nurul Izzah and Dr Wan Azizah in battling to correct the government wrong acts. At the heart of her fight for common justice lies a conviction in gender equality. She had consistently advocated for reform in laws, policies and government-led services that discriminated against women in different ways, and had held key positions in various women’s rights organisations and initiatives. As stated by Toni in one interview, “Women’s rights remain my key thrust because of something I learnt a long time ago. If women are empowered, the whole community eventually moves forward. It’s that simple because as the nucleus of a family and community, it makes no sense to sideline or ignore women.”
Her passion was always strong for human rights and equality. Her perspective on various issues related to human rights, women rights and of course gender equality and Islam was always progressive and clear. I am quite surprised at one event she briefly elaborates the Islamic philosophy and jurisprudence, as if she was one of the Ulama, only that she’s a female. That is another wonder, why we can’t call a religious woman as Ulama as well? Or, is there a provision in Islam that Ulama must be a man? Then who was Rabiaatul Adawiyah, a prominent female Ulama at her time, where Allah S.W.T has promised Heaven to her and even the male Ulamas at that time can’t challenge her? I left this question to every male chauvinist to wonder.
A wonderfully caring person, one who had an infectious smile and a great sense of humour, Toni was so vocal in voicing out her views and she was different in many ways. A tireless leader, Toni Kasim has had devoted much of her life advancing the rights of diverse communities in Malaysia, and no one’s reality is too marginal to be captured in her advocacy for collective justice. After months of battling cancer, she left us at the dawn of Wed 4 June, 5.30am, in her sleep. She was laid to rest at 1 pm at the Batu Tiga muslim cemetery . She was 41. She has done more in this life than most of us can dream of. I owe my worldview to her. Thank you Toni, and goodbye. May Allah bless you with more than good deeds you had ever done to us.
P/S : Al Fatihah to toni, who has put a big ripple on a human right issues in Malaysia
Aisya zaharin.
