CONTRACT PUBLISHING
In this intimate biography, Petra Oon retells the remarkable life of Lim Beng Hong, the woman history remembers as Mrs. B.H. Oon, but whom she knew simply as “Ah Ma”.
Born into a world that restricted women’s rights and life choices, Mrs. B.H. Oon defied convention at every turn. Achieving many firsts - the first ethnic Chinese woman to earn a law degree in the United Kingdom, the first ethnic Chinese and Malayan woman called to the Bar of England and Wales, the first woman to be admitted to the Straits Settlements Bar and the first woman to be admitted to the Federated Malay States (FMS) Bar.
Her career would span more than five decades, marked by her formidable courtroom presence and an unshakeable commitment to justice. Beyond the law, she stepped into nation-building: serving on the Federal Legislative Council in the years leading to independence and shaping early legal frameworks for a new Malaya.
A political force in Penang and a tireless advocate for women, she founded the Federation of Women Lawyers of North Malaya and rose to become President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). Honoured with an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II, her influence extended far beyond Malaysia’s shores. She was also awarded the Pingat Tun Fatimah by the then Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak for her outstanding contributions to the nation and society.
Yet this is not only the story of a pioneer. Through family memories and letters, a different portrait emerges - of a dedicated woman anchored by her faith, sustained by deep personal relationships and fiercely devoted to those she loved.
Both sweeping and deeply personal, Raising the Bar reveals Mrs. B.H. Oon not only as a historic figure but as a woman shaped by her faith, family and conviction. Her granddaughter brings her story to life through a heartfelt promise to keep her legacy alive; writing to inspire others to rediscover their faith and purpose.