To commemorate International Women’s Day on 8th March 2025, the Embassy of Malaysia in Paris celebrated the legacy of Sybil Medan Kathigasu (1899-1948), a Malaysian heroine of World War II. His Excellency Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, Ambassador of Malaysia to France, opened the engaging talk on her memoirs “No Dram of Mercy” (1954). Already available in Mandarin, Tamil and Japanese, her memoirs have been propelled onto the world stage thanks to their translation into French, ‘Sans une once de miséricorde’. At the same time, in this year 2025, the Bahasa Melayu translation has also been completed.
Sybil Kathigasu was a heroine, known for her courage during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Her resilience and sacrifice made her the only Malaysian woman to be awarded the British Crown’s George Medal at Buckingham Palace. Her memoirs chronicle her harrowing experiences and indomitable spirit.
Reflecting the solemnity of the occasion, the conference was centered on the contemporary research of Prof. Elsa Lafaye de Micheaux (Inalco, Paris). She invited the translator Dr. Jean-Charles Khalifa, former senior lecturer of English and Linguistics at the Université of Poitiers, France and Madame Hélène Poitevin (Campus Condorcet Library's Asian Collection, France) to collaborate in presenting various facets of Sybil Kathigasu and her memoirs to the audience, offering insights in the different languages of Malay, English and French. Prof. Elsa’s reading, capturing Sybil Kathigasu’s vivid descriptions of the atmosphere and events in Japanese-occupied Perak, with clarity and lucidity, filled the room with palpable emotion.
In the final segment of the talk, Sybil’s enduring legacy was brought into focus. The speakers honoured Sybil’s courage during her lifetime, highlighting also the bravery of her daughter Dawn Kathigasu. Also explained was the publication of her book and its editorial journey through time, memories and languages. Malaysian diplomat Priscilla Ann Yap reflected on Sybil's legacy in Malaysia today, and, among other elements, the process of beginning her beatification. The in-depth question and answer session provided an opportunity to discuss various aspects of the ongoing international research, but also on the deeds, writing style and personality of this outstanding heroine.
Archbishop Emeritus Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam in his book ‘Agent of Change’ has a chapter dedicated to Sybil with the header ‘Making a Malaysian Saint – Her courage served as an inspiration to Malaya and the world’. On 1st July 2024, His Eminence Cardinal Dato’ Seri Sebastian Francis, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Penang, officially initiated the process for Sybil Kathigasu’s beatification and canonization, emphasizing that this is a unique opportunity for the faithful to unite in contemplation, drawing inspiration from her Gospel-centered life.
After its public launch in Kuala Lumpur and in the Klang Valley by the SIRD-Gerakbudaya publisher, the Bahasa Melayu translation titled ‘Kenangan Luka’ and authored by Fahmi Mustaffa, is set to be also officially launched by Cardinal Sebastian Francis on 29th July 2025 at the Hall of St. Michael Church, Ipoh, Perak. The choice of this venue pays tribute to her service in care, love and compassion for the sick and suffering in the nearby town of Papan, Perak. Sybil Kathigasu passed away on 12 June 1948 in Scotland, and her body was later exhumed and laid to rest at the Catholic cemetery besides St. Michael Church.
By Christopher Kushi
