Kuala Lumpur — At age 68, Marina Mahathir does not shy away from acknowledging the doors her family name opened for her, nor from the responsibility that came with it. In a dialogue at Singapore Management University’s Inspiring Women Leadership Lecture Series, she told the audience that her privileges provided a platform, and she chose to use it not for herself, but for voiceless communities.
“I had a way of getting my foot in the door for sure, but I was not representing just me,” she said.
“I was representing a lot of people who could not speak for themselves, who could not advocate for themselves, and so I always kept that in mind, because I’m very well aware I’m privileged.”
Early Engagement: HIV/AIDS and Civil Society Leadership
Marina long identified with marginalized causes. She rose to public prominence in Malaysia as a vocal and early advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS, serving as President of the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC) from 1993 to 2005. During her tenure, MAC broadened from a small coalition of NGOs to an umbrella organization supporting many community groups.
She leveraged her status to challenge stigma, catalyse public awareness, and engage religious and political leaders in confronting discrimination.
Bridging Voice and Vulnerability
Marina’s approach is marked by her willingness to speak bluntly, not just about policies, but about lived experience. She has often reminded her listeners that her advocacy is rooted in empathy, not merely principle, and that her role is to amplify those without a microphone.
Her platform has enabled her to push boundaries in a society where discussions about gender, ethnicity, identity, and health can be politically sensitive. She has navigated that terrain with persistence, even when that means being controversial.
Relevance in the Contemporary Landscape
Marina’s remarks at SMU are timely. Asia, including Malaysia, is wrestling with questions of equity, social inclusion, and democratic space. Figures like Marina remind us of the intersection between personal identity and public duty.
- Institutional leverage: Her recognition and access lend weight to causes that otherwise may struggle for mainstream legitimacy in Malaysia.
- Women’s leadership: By speaking at women’s leadership forums, she helps broaden the notion of what voices belong in public policymaking.
- Continuity of activism: Her decades of advocacy, especially in health and marginalized communities, provide continuity in social justice narratives across generational shifts in Malaysia.
A Model of Privilege Redeemed
Marina Mahathir’s path shows that when privileged access is paired with moral resolve, it can become a lever for inclusion and transformation, especially in societies where structural inequalities persist. Her challenge to future leaders is implicit: having access is a responsibility, not a right to silence.
By Jean Iau. Jean writes for the Asia desk, covering politics, law and security-related issues in Singapore. She began her journalism career in 2019 at The Straits Times where she covered breaking news, crime and politics. She has a Masters Degree in Socio-Cultural Anthropology from Durham University.
