GRIEF OVER KARPAL REFLECTS MALAYSIANS' AFFECTION FOR PRINCIPLED PEOPLE
The late DAP leader Karpal Singh's funeral in Penang yesterday has been
the biggest outpouring of grief in Malaysia since Tunku Abdul Rahman's
funeral in December 1990.
The crowd lining the George Town roads yesterday roared the prominent
lawyer and politician's name. Thousands others followed the cortege
with Karpal's body to the Batu Gantung crematorium for his final
journey.
Penang wept for its favourite son, Malaysia cried for the loss of an influential lawmaker, lawyer and leader.
- And those who tried to smear the late Karpal Singh's character or make snide remarks found themselves in public odium and contempt – the Langkawi MP Datuk Nawawi Ahmad being one of them.
- In short, the main conclusion that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his government can surmise from this outpouring of grief is simply this – Malaysians love their leaders and politicians who stand for something, to be men and women of principles.
- It is not by accident that a multiracial crowd turned out, this was a politician who believed that everyone has a place under the Malaysian sun. Young, old – they were the people who have heard of Karpal Singh almost all their lives.
- Everyone had a favourite tale to tell of the lawyer with the easy smile, the strong conviction and the sharp voice in court or Parliament – be they the hawkers in Green Hall or even his political foes in the Dewan Rakyat.
Perhaps some found themselves at the wrong end of the stick in Karpal's
45 years in law and politics but the turnout yesterday showed the
affection that many had for the lawyer.
Will there be such a turnout for the likes of Datuk Zulkifli Noordin,
Datuk Ibrahim Ali, Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah or other leaders from both
sides of the divide that only speak on behalf of their race?
Malaysia is in need of heroes – of principled people. The Tiger of Jelutong was one of them.
And the crowds' lament for his loss reflects the need for more of such
principled people to ensure equality and justice in Malaysia.
Source: The malaysian Insider
MALAYSIAN SEASONED POLITICAN KARPAL KILLED IN ACCIDENT
KAMPAR, Malaysia - Bukit Gelugor Member Of Parlimen and veteran DAP leader Karpal
Singh died in an accident near Gua Tempurung here early Thursday.
The prominent lawyer and his assistant, C. Michael, died on the
scene. His son Ramkarpal and the car's driver, C. Selvam, were injured
in the 1am incident.
Their bodies have been brought to Kampar Hospital.
The Toyota Alphard in which Karpal and the three were in had collided
with a lorry. Karpal was on his way to Penang to attend a court case.
It was a highly emotional scene at the Kampar Hospital mortuary.
It was a highly emotional scene at the Kampar Hospital mortuary.
- His wife Gurmit Kaur was inconsolable, as she wailed, "why, why." Karpal's son, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, who was holding his mother all the way to the mortuary, also broke down. They arrived at the hospital at about 5.15am.
- It was a highly emotional scene at the Kampar Hospital mortuary as family members of the late Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh arrived.
The bodies of Karpal and his assistant, C. Michael, who also died in
the accident, would be taken to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in
Ipoh for post mortem.
Source: AsiaOne...More...
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