KUALA LUMPUR: The demise of former Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands, Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, 76, yesterday impacted legal practitioners and the judiciary who described the deceased as a legal icon for her services throughout her career in the field.
Attorney-General Datuk Ahmad Terriruddin Mohd Salleh said Noor Farida who started her career at the Attorney-General’s Department in 1971 was a very outstanding legal officer and respected by those in the department.
“For her excellence in the Attorney General’s Department, especially in the field of international law, she was respected given the opportunity to develop her career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said, adding that she gave a high commitment in the arena of international relations.
However, he said, despite the authority she displayed, Noor Faridah was well-liked and loved by friends around her because of her friendly, simple and pleasant personality.
“Due to this…her demise is definitely a loss that is deeply felt,” he said.
Meanwhile, lawyer Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader described Noor Farida as a person who was very principled and one who was vocal on issues involving the interests of the country and society
“She was an outspoken person who had a no-holds-barred approach and was fearlessly outspoken among others on the Pulau Batu Putih issue where Noor Farida was one of the outspoken ones to demand the country’s rights,” said the lawyer.
Lawyer Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin spoke of Noor Farida’s assertiveness and described her as a Malaysian woman figure who had merited quite a lot in the diplomatic and legal fraternities.
Meanwhile, former Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi said he respected the late Noor Farida for her stand on certain issues involving human rights and the public.
Sharing the same sentiment, lawyer Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar described her as a principled person who prized integrity in public service.
Noor Farida was one of the co-founders of the G25 group of prominent retired civil servants. – BERNAMA
