From village life on the banks of the Sarawak River to shaping national policy in Putrajaya, Dato’ Sri Nancy Shukri has led with quiet strength, deep cultural grounding, and an unwavering commitment to public service. As Malaysia’s Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, she’s championed women’s empowerment, youth opportunity, and inclusive leadership.
In our Jun/Jul 2025 issue, MillionaireAsia puts the spotlight on this East Malaysian trailblazer who’s redefined what it means to lead with purpose. We follow Nancy’s journey from a childhood shaped by strong female role models to a career in politics that continues to break barriers and uplift communities.
We also continue our mission to spotlight the women shaping Southeast Asia’s future – with stories, programmes, and partnerships designed to empower, inspire, and ignite change.
A Legacy in Service
She entered the police force on a bus from Malacca, armed with seven languages, steely nerves, and nothing to prove – yet everything to shape. Even now, Emily Koshy still sits tall in the minds of those who followed her footsteps. From courtroom showdowns to community bonds, from pioneering the role of women in the Malaysian police to receiving royal medals of honour, her 34 years of service reflect a life lived in full.
Emily Koshy sits patiently at the doorway, hands folded neatly in her lap, her eyes scanning the distance with calm anticipation.
Even at 90, there’s a quiet steel in her posture – a hint of the discipline that defined much of her life.
A helper hurries over to usher her to a nearby sofa, worried that Emily – slight in frame but firm in spirit – might insist on doing things her own way. She often does.
We’d been forewarned by Lily, her daughter-in-law who helped set up our interview: “She might struggle a bit, but the stories will flow.”
And flow they did.
Her voice still carries a hint of the plucky lass she was back then.
It was the 1950s, and Malaya was a very different place. Roads were narrow, Bahasa Melayu had only just begun entering school curricula, and in the midst of it all, Emily Koshy née Mathew had become the first Indian policewoman in the country.
Much of Emily’s early life unfolded in Segamat, where her late father Mr. V.A Mathew, served as a school teacher. She finished secondary education in SMK (P) Sultan Abu Bakar, a school renowned for its strong academic record, and went on to complete her Form 6 at Malacca High School.
A pure science graduate, she was unsure of what to do next. A newspaper advertisement from the police force would go on to shape her entire career.
She had a brief discussion with her parents. And then, as she puts it: “I simply tried.”
She was among the lucky 30 called for an interview at the Police Depot in Jalan Gurney – a 2-hour trip she made from Malacca via bus.
The odds? Daunting.
Out of 800 applicants, only six would be chosen.
Emily was one of them.
With her Higher School Certificate, head girl credentials, and experience on school hockey and netball teams, she already stood out.
And her mastery of seven languages – English, Malayalam, Malay, Tamil, Hindustani, Punjabi, and even Hokkien, picked up from childhood playmates in Johor – truly set her apart.
A week after her interview, Emily received a call: she was to report for duty.
At 20, she joined the pioneer batch of female recruits in 1955: three Malays, three Chinese, and one Indian.
It was a moment of immense pride for her parents in particular.
She was determined – despite concern from relatives due to the ongoing Malayan Emergency, a period of unrest and war during which the communist guerrilas tried to overthrow the British Colonial administration in Malaya.
Emily had no interest in teaching, nursing or clerical roles. She had set her mind on trying her hand at this – and she would see it through.
The six-month training period was intense: physical drills in the morning, followed by lessons in criminal law, court procedures and investigation techniques. In the afternoon came weapon handling and shooting.
“Pistols were our primary weapon and I kept mine even after retirement. I only gave it up recently,” the spunky Emily says.
Recruits received a RM 200 monthly allowance with free lodging.
This batch of police trainees were special: they received training from Assistant Superintendent of Police Barbara Wentworth from London, who was sent over by the British force.
“Our batch received three additional months of specialised training in handling cases involving women and children,” Emily tells us.
It was a formative experience.
She would go on to play a pivotal role in solving many cases of domestic abuse against women and children, paving the way for this sector in law enforcement.
She became known for her courtroom presence, particularly when squaring off against mostly male lawyers in court prosecution and criminal cases.
Her career in the force would take her across Muar, Malacca, and Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur. And through it all, her resolve never wavered.
“34 years,” Emily says with a fond smile.
That was how long she had spent in the police force – and what a meaningful 34 years they were.
Emily was recognised with the Bintang Ahli Mangku Negara, a royal award presented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian by the Malacca Government.
“Those awards were great honours,” she says.
But being a policewoman was more than a job. Emily calls it what it is: a 24-hour commitment to duty.
Understanding and support from her teacher husband and children carried her through her rigorous career.
The police force is structured around discipline. But it’s about understanding and engaging with people too: activities like visiting subordinates during festivities and celebrations, and inviting police families to jumble sales helped build rapport and respect.
Going the arranged marriage route, she had three children with her late husband Mr. K.Vadaketh Koshy. Now she’s a proud grandmother of six.
Work, family, and church formed the three main pillars in her life.
The extended paternal family was a close-knit one.
Christ Church in Malacca and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur, were central in their lives, with the couple serving as active members of both churches. Post-retirement, joining the choir and church services at St. Mary’s gave Emily joy.
It was a well-deserved rest: Emily had risen through the ranks at work to retire as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in 1989 at 55.
She left her mark as a pioneer and trailblazer who fought to make the country a safer place, especially for vulnerable communities.
After leaving the force, she served for seven years on the Film Censorship Board.
But policing remained her greatest pride.
Even now, visits from officers at the Sungai Way Police Station serve as poignant reminders that her legacy lives on.
At 90, Emily no longer drives – “I miss it dearly,” she admits – but her days are far from idle.
She tends to her garden, enjoys walks to the local market, and exercises with neighbours—two of whom are former colleagues.
Her wishes now are simple” for her three children and six grandchildren to do well.
Respect, service, and community.
These have been the cornerstones of Emily Koshy’s life. A trailblazer in every sense, she didn’t just witness history. She helped shape it.
And today, her story continues to inspire.
Hot off the press
From village life on the banks of the Sarawak River to shaping national policy in Putrajaya, Dato’ Sri Nancy Shukri has led with quiet strength, deep cultural grounding, and an unwavering commitment to public service. As Malaysia’s Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, she’s championed women’s empowerment, youth opportunity, and inclusive leadership.
In our Jun/Jul 2025 issue, MillionaireAsia puts the spotlight on this East Malaysian trailblazer who’s redefined what it means to lead with purpose. We follow Nancy’s journey from a childhood shaped by strong female role models to a career in politics that continues to break barriers and uplift communities.
We also continue our mission to spotlight the women shaping Southeast Asia’s future – with stories, programmes, and partnerships designed to empower, inspire, and ignite change.
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