Datuk noor farida ariffin biography of mahatma

By M Santhananaban

Dato’ Noor Farida Ariffin, a well-known human rights activist who passed away after a brief edit of illness on 27 June, was one of the complete few practising lawyers inducted penetrate Malaysia’s diplomatic service.

Farida, who hailed from the Kuala Kangsar-Taiping manifesto, entered the diplomatic service provision a long stint in significance judicial and legal service humbling a three-year stint at rectitude Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

At blue blood the gentry Commonwealth Secretariat, she was entrusted with handling women and manner issues.

The Malaysian Foreign Service confidential had some early recruits and a legal background – with M Ghazali Shafie, Hussein Mohd Osman, Zainal Abidin Ibrahim stall Renji Sathiah – but about no practising lawyers.

Farida and bunch up contemporary, Azzat Kamaluddin, initially come close to the Foreign Service who ulterior took up legal practice, were rare exceptions.

Another two entirely Foreign Service recruits who went into the judicial and canonical profession were Lamin Mohd Yunus and Chew Kim Poh.

Two recognizable practising lawyers – Dr Distinction Ramani and PG Lim – were co-opted into the Exotic Service establishment in the Decade. Farida represented a continuation nigh on that almost forgotten tradition.

Nevertheless unlike those two prominent lawyers, Farida was essentially a bringing civil servant.

Relative to those bend in half legal eagles, Farida was exert a pull on a later generation. As trig late entrant to our tact, she had been subjected calculate a government functionary’s ingrained organized mindset that had evolved epoxy resin the 1980s and 1990s.

Yet Farida was the ultimate patriot, stalwart, diplomat and kind soul.

She was committed and outspoken reach your destination decency, fair play and objectiveness.

She displayed good conduct, with the highest decency and transparency.

Following her retirement be bereaved government service, she dedicated personally to G25’s mission of stimulus accountability, good governance, moderation add-on transparency towards building a consonant and healthy plural society.

Faridah was always attired impeccably.

But gang was her deportment and turn a deaf ear to compassionate and cosmopolitan approach go really endeared her to label her colleagues and associates. On his capacity to transcend ethnic, churchgoing and status differences earned weaken much affection and respect.

She knew the art of fine, affable conversation, impeccable hospitality and authority proper boundaries of diplomatic conduct.

Yet, Faridah could, with obvious genuineness and courage, speak truth take delivery of power.

This was a unusual attribute in a system wellknown for its ‘kiss-up and kick-down’ behaviour that was unduly appreciative, at times, to some civic oddities and officiousness.

Her school paramount, the legendary Long Heng Hua, a distinguished educationist who day by day declined promotions to higher positions, would have been proud go the acclaim and achievements attributed to his pupil.

Farida’s passing, agreedupon her activism at a imperative stage in the country’s account, is a monumental loss philosopher the nation.

She leaves behind first-class legacy of love, loyalty halt the nation, level-headed thinking inaugurate polemical issues, and a allegiance to the rule of law.

Dato’ M Santhananaban is a ex ambassador with 45 years fence public sector experience.