The outspoken advocate for women, migrant and refugee rights died at 1.26pm today. Her death was confirmed by the family in a statement. She was 72.

Aegile is the younger sister of fellow Tenaganita founder Irene Fernandez, who died in 2014.

“Aegile has been a warm glow of comfort in so many lives and a bright and enduring light in the fight for justice and equality. We ask that if you are comfortable, please light a candle for her today.

Importantly, she’d want you to keep up her mission for justice, her practice of kindness, her open heart to all who have the least,” said her family.

Tributes started pouring in on social media over Fernandez’s work, with Klang MP Charles Santiago expressing deep sadness over her passing.

“We have one fewer human rights defender of migrants, women and the poor. But her legacy will carry on in the work of Tenaganita and many more. Farewell, my friend. Rest in peace,” he said in a Twitter post.

University of Nottingham Malaysia’s Bridget Welsh described Fernandez as a warrior for justice, adding that her spirit would live on despite her passing.

“For decades she fought for the rights of migrants and Malaysians selflessly and to work towards a more tolerant, kind and inclusive world,” she said.

Social and political activist Ambiga Sreenevasan also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the Tenaganita co-founder, saying she spent her life “fighting the good fight”.