Suriani, the woman who helped M’sian mothers rewrite the law

2026-03-06 - 23:23

Suriani Kempe says being a woman in advocacy comes with unique challenges. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) PETALING JAYA: On some days, Suriani Kempe still thinks about a voice note from a little girl. “I’m going to be Malaysian now!” the child said excitedly to her grandmother. The message came after a landmark citizenship victory by Family Frontiers, the advocacy group Suriani co-founded. For the girl – born overseas to a Malaysian mother – it meant something simple yet profound: belonging. “For some reason,” Suriani recalled, “this little girl had been made to feel different... even though Malaysia is her home.” Moments like these keep the Malaysian advocate – honoured with the Hän Honour for gender equality by the Finnish government – going, even when the work feels exhausting. Years ago, the issue became personal when the 45-year-old fought to secure Malaysian citizenship for her own daughter. After her first application was rejected, she pushed the matter further and spoke about it publicly. When her daughter finally received citizenship, Suriani felt immense relief. But the victory was bittersweet. “What really struck me was that her getting citizenship was an exception,” she said. “It wasn’t the result of a process that every person is guaranteed.” Family Frontiers helped secure a constitutional amendment allowing Malaysian mothers to pass citizenship to children born overseas. (Suriani Kempe pic) That moment stayed with her. The injustice of a system where outcomes depended on luck rather than fairness became impossible to ignore. “So when the opportunity came to actually do something about it, I had zero hesitation,” she said, referring to her work with Family Frontiers that culminated in a 2023 amendment to Malaysia’s Federal Constitution allowing Malaysian mothers to pass citizenship to children born overseas. But long before courtrooms and policy debates, Suriani discovered activism while studying in the United States, arriving just weeks before the Sept 11 attacks. In the aftermath, universities were required to monitor international students under the USA Patriot Act. International students were expected to pay a surveillance fee. Suriani and her peers refused. “We said, fine – if you want to surveil us, that’s your decision,” she recounted. “But we will not pay for our own surveillance.” Partnering with local representatives and MPs is a crucial process for Suriani in her fight for justice. (Suriani Kempe pic) The campaign quickly grew. There were walkouts, negotiations and months of organising. “It was the first time I felt the power of people coming together,” she said. “If we stand firm and are strategic, we can actually change things.” That lesson would shape the rest of her career. Yet the seeds of Suriani’s sense of justice were planted much earlier – at home. Her mother, a doctor and single parent, was unapologetically outspoken. “As a kid I was embarrassed,” Suriani, co-founder of feminist consultancy Kemban Kolektif, laughed. “She was very loud about demanding to be treated with respect.” But in hindsight, she sees the deeper lesson. “She was completely unapologetic about insisting on equal treatment.” Her mother also practised compassion in quiet ways. As a doctor, she treated patients others might have turned away – including transgender individuals seeking medical care. “For her it was simple,” Suriani said. “Forget the stigma. This is what I can offer.” Those early examples left a lasting impression. Advocacy, however, is rarely easy. She learned much about navigating politics while working with former women’s minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. Still, in policy spaces, Suriani said women are often expected to speak softly and avoid challenging authority too directly. Suriani (right) says mothers should raise their kids to understand the concept of fairness. (Suriani Kempe pic) “When you speak firmly, you’re labelled as emotional or difficult,” she said. Developing resilience has been essential. “You have to resist internalising those messages,” she said. “Otherwise, you start believing them.” Even the emotional moments carry complicated expectations. Once, after losing a case at the Court of Appeal, Suriani appeared on camera visibly upset. The public response surprised her. “When I behaved in a way people expected – sad, vulnerable – suddenly there was this outpouring of sympathy,” she said. “But I hate the idea that women have to fit that stereotype for people to respond.” Despite these challenges, Suriani remains hopeful about the future – especially the next generation. Her message to mothers today is simple: nurture empathy in their children. “Raise children to understand fairness,” she said. “Teach them to question injustice and recognise the humanity in others.” Because in her experience, compassion is the foundation of change. “If children grow up with that sense of kindness,” she said, “they’re less likely to harm others.” Follow Suriani Kempe on Instagram.