Former Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) member and wheelchair-user activist Anthony Thanasayan passed away due to a lung infection.

He was vocal in championing issues related to people with disabilities and animal rights.

He was the first disabled local government councillor in Selangor. His term lasted between 2008 and 2013.

In a statement this afternoon, MBPJ councillor Derek Fernandez described Thanasayan (above), whom he had known since 2008, as a fighter.

"Because of his sheer will to want to make things better for the less able in society, today many of the policies in MBPJ relating to universal user design, car parks and facilities for the disabled are due to him.

"He taught me to look at things differently, for which I am eternally grateful. He made me realise that every one of us will be disabled one day, some more than others but all of us will be disabled one day.

"Ageing is a disability and disabled people should not be hidden away but deserve their days in the sun, just like everyone else," Derek said.

Anthony, 63, was born with spina bifida. He was the founder of Pet Positive, a group which advocated animal rights due to their role in assisted living.

He was also a frequent contributor to various news organisations documenting the challenges faced by disabled people in living a life with dignity.