Month: April 2014

BY V. ANBALAGAN, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | TMI
APRIL 18, 2014

In a legal career spanning almost half a century, the late Karpal Singh contributed immensely to the development of Malaysian criminal and civil law with nearly 600 citations in the Malaysian Law Journal, say fellow legal minds.

They told The Malaysian Insider that the prominent legal eagle, who died in a road accident yesterday, could do this as he was a versatile lawyer who argued and tested cases in court.

They also said that Karpal had the advantage of pointing out why certain laws were inapplicable and needed further amendment as he could also lobby for change in Parliament.

Karpal was also a perfect role model for any aspiring law student because he possessed qualities required of a fearless advocate, they added.

Penang-based lawyer Datuk K. Kumaraendran, who started practice at the same time as Karpal, said the lawyer-cum-politician took up cases that involved the burden of proof.

“In the interest of justice, he developed the law because there was uncertainty over the issue of innocent until proven guilty,” said Kumaraendan, who appeared together with Karpal in many criminal cases in the late 70s and early 80s.

Karpal was also a pioneer in taking up drug trafficking and habeas corpus cases, added Kumaraendan, who started his legal career in Alor Star together with the late lawyer. Continue reading “Karpal Singh left his mark on Malaysian law, say legal experts”

By Zurairi AR
The Malay Mail Online
April 18, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — For many who had the pleasure of meeting him, the late Karpal Singh was an approachable statesman and lawyer who had a time for everyone who sought his counsel.

The man has been dubbed “a friend to the oppressed and marginalised” was killed in a road accident in the early hours of Thursday. A previous road accident had already left him in a wheel chair.

Karpal was the MP for Jelutong for 21 years. At his death, he was the MP for Bukit Gelugor, having held the seat since 2004.

The DAP veteran left behind five children, four grandchildren, and his wife of over 40 years, Gurmit Kaur.

Here are ten choice quotes from his 44 years in the legal and political arena: Continue reading “10 things about: Karpal Singh, The Tiger of Jelutong”

By Zurairi AR
The Malay Mail Online
April 18, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Karpal Singh, the veteran opposition politician, died in a car crash early this morning on the way to a court hearing in Penang, forever defining the DAP chairman as a fighter for just cause to the very end.

Despite his reputation as a political institution, the Bukit Gelugor MP thought of himself as more of a lawyer than a politician, as noted in a media interview during his 70th birthday in 2010.

He was survived by five children, four grandchildren, and Gurmit Kaur, his wife of over 40 years.

Here are some of his defining moments in the Tiger of Jelutong’s illustrious career as a lawyer and statesman:

1970

Following the May 13 riots the year before, Karpal joined DAP citing the party’s multiracial political platform.

He had also started his own law firm after being called to the Penang Bar in 1969. Continue reading “The life and times of Karpal Singh: A fighter to the very end”

– Abdul Haleem Abdul Rahiman
The Malaysian Insider
April 17, 2014

The nation lost a statesman – Karpal Singh. The tragedy is not his death but the death of compassion and “adab” – manners. Are we growing as a nation or merely breeding for sake of God?

Why the religion is used for utter nonsense and moronic theories? Where is the compassion? Does the skullcap on your head make you dumb and dumber?

In my humble opinion, we have bigots in the august house because we lack of men and women with integrity.

The ones with principles. Surely, he is one hell of a man with strong principles. A man who never compromised on his principles. Even if you were going to throw him in jail.

He is gone now. He is not coming back and we are not sure if we’ll see another Malaysian lawyer cum MP as good as him.

Where are your manners when you proudly post those pictures? Be it real or graphics. Don’t you have any shame? Do you call yourself a leader? You are a disgrace. Continue reading “Loss of statesman and ‘adab’”

Kee Thuan Chye
Yahoo! News
17.4.2014

The Tiger of Jelutong has died in a road accident. It happened at 1.10am this morning near Kampar on the North-South Expressway. He was on his way to Penang to represent a client in court. To practise the law as he had done for more than four decades. In army parlance, he died with his boots on.

Karpal Singh would surely not have chosen to leave us this way, and would have wanted to continue fighting the great fight for the good of the nation which he did untiringly in politics, but we have to accept that at least he never stopped.

He fought endlessly to uphold democracy and the Federal Constitution as a lawyer and a politician. And for his good work, they shut him away under the Internal Security Act (ISA), charged him with sedition, called him an enemy of Islam.

But he leaves behind a legacy that not only his wife and children can be proud of, but all Malaysians as well.

May he now rest in peace. Continue reading “Death of a True Son of Malaysia”

Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or region, the majority of whom had never met or known Karpal Singh, are in shock and mourning the sudden passing of the Tiger of Jelutong as a personal loss.

This is a testament of how the indomitable fight and struggle of Karpal for justice, the rule of law and democracy for over four decades have touched the lives of Malaysians, across race, religion, region, gender or age.

In his four decades of public life, particularly in law and politics, Karpal has never allowed power and position or his personal trials and tribulations – including detention under the notorious and draconian Internal Security Act under Operation Lalang in 1987 and his persecution under the Sedition Act with the threat of disqualification as elected Member of Parliament – to undermine his commitment to the cause of justice, the rule of law and democracy.

With Karpal’s death, a light has gone out in Malaysia. Continue reading “With Karpal’s death, a light has gone out in Malaysia – best tribute to memory to Karpal is mushrooming of more lights to brighten the Malaysian national landscape of justice, rule of law and democracy”

TMI | April 17, 2014

Walaupun mempunyai perbezaan ketara dalam beberapa hal namun Mursyidul Am PAS, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat sangat terasa dengan kehilangan Karpal Singh yang beliau sifatkan sebagai pendokong kuat Perlembagaan Persekutuan.‎

Menurut bekas menteri besar Kelantan itu, jika semua pihak menghormati prinsip yang terkandung di dalam Perlembagaan seperti Karpal, Kelantan pasti tidak akan ditindas dengan pelbagai jenis penindasan.

Nik Aziz berkata demikian dalam satu kenyataan bertulisnya hari ini ekoran kematian Karpal dalam satu kemalangan jalan raya awal pagi tadi.

“Saya rakamkan takziah kepada keluarga Yang Berhormat Karpal Singh, Ahli Parlimen Jelutong yang meninggal dunia akibat kemalangan awal pagi ini.

“Saya sifatkan pemergian beliau sebagai satu kehilangan kepada dunia politik tanah air kerana beliau amat dikenali sebagai seorang yang berprinsip dan sukar digugat pendiriannya,” katanya.

Bagi Nik Aziz, Karpal merupakan pendokong kuat kepada Perlembagaan Malaysia dan amat tegas dengan pendirian bahawa Malaysia merupakan negara sekular. Continue reading “Walaupun berbeza pendapat, Nik Aziz sedih dengan kematian Karpal”

By Ram Anand | Malaysiakini
Apr 17, 2014

COMMENT Seated in his wheelchair, still wearing his Parliament coat, Karpal Singh rings for his assistant, Michael Cornandez, who comes rushing into the room. “I’m thirsty,” says Karpal apologetically to me, and Michael lifts up the can of a soft drink that was on the table with the straw on it. The then-Bukit Gelugor MP and DAP national chairperson took three sips of the drink. “This is how I depend on him,” Karpal said, referring to Michael.

What was a serious interview up until that point in his office in Jalan Pudu in December 2012 had suddenly taken a lighter tone. It was probably light for Karpal – but it was unsettling for me and my colleague as he narrated his life in a wheelchair and his previous accident that had left him partially paralysed. I felt sorry for the man, but as he was telling his story, he wore a smile on his face, that effervescent, ever-present smile.

“Some people say the accident (in 2004) was orchestrated by my enemies. I had met Umno Youth folks at the airport before I flew to Penang, and it happened to be that the fellow whose car got into an accident with my taxi was an MCA guy. But I always say, if they wanted to kill me, they would have done so a long time. There are a million ways to kill me.” Continue reading “Karpal – the man who was principled to a fault”

Malaysiakini | Apr 17, 2014

It was an emotional and teary morning at the Ipoh Hospital’s Forensic Department as Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh’s body arrived for a post-mortem at 7.20am.

Karpal’s body will be taken back to his family home in Penang today and he is expected to be cremated at the Sikh cremation hall on Jalan Gurdwara at 11am on Sunday.

Arriving with his body from Kampar, where Karpal together with his helper, Michael Cornelius, died on-the-spot in an accident near the Gopeng exit of the North-South Expressway, was his son, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, who looked exhausted.

Though he appeared distraught as he himself had been admitted to hospital in Kuala Lumpur recently, Gobind (on the left) was calm and collected as he took questions from the army of reporters who have come to the hospital from Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang.

Karpal’s wife, Gurmit Kaur, was also in tears as she entered the waiting hall, wearing a purple scarf over her head, as relatives accompanied her into the Forensic Department’s waiting area.

She was speechless but her pain was apparent as many approach her to offer condolences, as they hugged her and held her tight. Continue reading “An emotional and teary morning”

Malaysiakini | Apr 17, 2014

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today among Karpal Singh’s last words in the days before he died in a car crash in Kampar early this morning were “I will definitely return.”

Lim said he spent much time with Karpal in Parliament and in recent days to discuss the Bukit Gelugor MP’s sedition conviction and RM4,000 fine, which Karpal had planned to appeal this week.

Lim said the party had also reluctantly accepted Karpal’s resignation as DAP national chairperson, “and we told him that his post will remain vacant till he returns”.

He added that Karpal had refused to appeal the matter with the Registrar of Societies, which could provide him with an exemption to remain as DAP chairperson pending the appeal.

“He thanked the party and said, ‘Guan Eng, I will definitely return. Don’t worry, we will definitely carry on’.

“We will miss him badly. So will the party and the people. The tears shared by ordinary Malaysians are the greatest honour for Karpal,” Lim told reporters at the Ipoh General Hospital’s Forensic Department. Continue reading “Guan Eng: Karpal said he would return”

By Opalyn Mok | MMO
April 17, 2014 UPDATED: April 17, 2014 10:28 am

GEORGE TOWN, April 17 — Today, the nation woke up to the shocking news of the death of Karpal Singh.

This man who has been part of Malaysia’s political landscape for so long and who has overcome all sorts of struggles — both public and personal — died in a road accident early this morning.

Malaysians, both here and abroad, are still coming to grips that the Tiger of Jelutong is no more. After all, he has always been a fierce warrior… surely he cannot have been felled.

But the Bukit Gelugor MP was killed in a road accident at KM306.1 of the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung at about 1.10am today.

He was believed to be travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang for a court hearing this morning.

Karpal, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was killed on the spot together with his long-time assistant, Michael Cornelius Selvam Vellu.

This giant of a political leader earned the moniker “Tiger of Jelutong” when he won the Jelutong parliamentary seat in 1978 and held it for 21 years before losing it in the 1999 general elections. Continue reading “Farewell, Tiger of Jelutong”

BY IDA LIM | MMO
April 17, 2014

SHAH ALAM, April 17 — Selangor lawmakers paid their respects today to DAP veteran lawmaker Karpal Singh by observing a minute of silence to mark his death from a fatal crash this morning.

At the beginning of today’s state assembly sitting, Selangor Speaker Hannah Yeoh spoke of the shock that Malaysians felt on learning of the 73-year-old’s death in a car accident along the North-South Highway near Gopeng, Perak.

“Early this morning, the people of Malaysia were shocked with news of the fatal accident that took the life of the Bukit Gelugor MP and DAP leader that we love and respect, the late YB Karpal Singh and his assistant.

“I’m sure many others will pay their respects to him in the days to come. Therefore, following this shocking news, I humbly ask that the House allocate one minute to meditate to pay respects to him,” the Selangor DAP vice-chairman said in a voice that almost broke, with the House then rising from their seats and standing silently for one minute.

Karpal and long-serving aide, Michael Cornelius Selvam Vellu, were killed when the vehicle he was travelling in rammed into the back of a lorry near Gopeng along the North-South Expressway at 1.10am.

Karpal leaves behind a wife, five children and four grandchildren.
– See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/selangor-assembly-in-minutes-silence-for-karpal-singh#sthash.6WQyMqbo.dpuf

MMO | April 17, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — The unexpected news of veteran DAP lawmaker Karpal Singh’s death in a car crash this morning led to an outpouring of tributes and sorrow from friends and foes alike in social media.

Among the earliest was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who offered his sympathies to the family of the late parliamentarian over their loss.

“I have just landed at Ankara when I heard the news that YB Karpal Singh died in a road accident. My condolences to the family,” Najib wrote on his Twitter page.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also took to the social media site to deliver an effusive homage to his ally in the Pakatan Rakyat pact.

“We’ve lost a colleague; an indefatigable fighter for justice; d legendary Karpal Singh! Our sincere condolences to d family. RIP. Anwar,” the PKR de facto leader wrote.

Other more sombre messages include that by PKR vice president in his message announcing the confirmation of Karpal’s fatal accident, in which he said he was left “sad and speechless” over the tragedy. Continue reading “On Twitter, friends and foes pay tribute to Karpal”

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, Pathma Subramaniam and Opalyn Mok | MMO
April 17, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — Still reeling from the shock over veteran lawmaker Karpal Singh’s death, DAP leaders throughout the country recalled the “Tiger of Jelutong’s” legacy of principled fearlessness inspired them to follow in his footsteps.

For DAP deputy national chairman Tan Kok Wai, Karpal was an “irreplaceable” colleague, a “giant amongst men.”

“Karpal is well known for his outstanding bravery and his persistence and perseverance in fighting for an equitable society and equality for all,” he told The Malay Mail Online when contacted.

DAP deputy-secretary general Datuk Ngeh Khoo Ham who has known the Bukit Gelugor MP for 25 years, described the lawyer as a bold man who would “risk everything for what is right.”

“He was principled and [unwavering],” Ngeh told The Malay Mail Online. Continue reading “In tributes, DAP leaders say Karpal was ‘giant amongst men’”

BY V. ANBALAGAN, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR | TMI
April 17, 2014

I met Mr Karpal Singh at his office in Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, about 7pm last night and spent about 45 minutes with him.

He had called me earlier to collect a copy of a court judgment of an important case.

He told me to come as early as possible because he had to go to Penang later that night, as he was defending a client in a murder trial at the Penang court the next morning (today).

Mr Karpal normally made it a point to inform me of court cases. He was one of my closest contacts on legal matters. It is through him that I get my exclusive stories.

Mr Karpal’s personal assistant, Micheal Cornelius, was there to welcome me at the entrance of the office.

It was through the late Michael that I communicated with Mr Karpal over the phone, after the Bukit Gelugor MP was left paralysed following a road accident in 2005. Continue reading “My last meeting with Mr Karpal Singh”

BY LEE SHI-IAN | TMI
April 17, 2014

Penang has lost one of its favourite sons today following the tragic death of Karpal Singh, a man who took up the baton and fought for the defenceless, the weak and the oppressed, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.

“It is said that there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics, but there are permanent principles,” Lim told reporters at the Ipoh hospital.

“Integrity, honesty and decency, these were the principles which Karpal believed in and held firm throughout his life.

“DAP, Penang and Malaysians are all greatly pained and saddened by the loss of Karpal.

“He had contributed greatly throughout his political career and despite his age, had so much more to offer.”

He said the tears shed by Malaysians today are a reflection of Karpal’s deeds and accomplishments. Continue reading “Karpal fought for the weak and oppressed, he was a true friend, says Guan Eng”

BY LOOI SUE-CHERN | TMI
April 17, 2014

Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh, who died in an accident early this morning, was in Kuala Lumpur to visit his son Gobind Singh Deo who was ill.

A distraught Gobind said he was informed of the accident at 2.15am today, and he and his wife rushed to the scene where he saw his father’s mangled car and his father’s body.

“My brother Ramkarpal was in the car with our father. He was slightly injured. He had scratches and bruises.

“However, my father’s assistant Michael Cornelius Selvam Velly, 39, was also killed. He was seated behind my father,” he said when met at the mortuary at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh.

Karpal’s driver escaped with light injuries but the late MP’s maid is said to be in critical condition. The lorry driver was not injured in the accident.

Asked what Karpal had said to him during his visit, Gobind said: “He said many things.” Continue reading “My dad was in KL to see me, says Gobind”

OBITUARY BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER
April 17, 2014

Karpal Singh – the prominent lawyer, lawmaker and DAP leader – died early this morning in a road accident while on the way to Penang, doing what he does best: going to court for a client. He was 73.

His reputation as a lawyer and politician had earned him the nickname the “Tiger of Jelutong” from the time he started legal practice in 1970 – which was also the year he joined the Democratic Action Party (DAP).

When he died early today, Karpal had just let go of the DAP chairmanship as he battled a sedition conviction that risked his four decades of legal and political career.

But the controversial decision was nothing to Karpal. He had been thrown out of parliament, put in detention during Ops Lalang in 1987 and had faced previous sedition charges.

“Eliminating me from the political terrain will not be the end of Karpal Singh. It will in fact lead to the rise of many Karpal Singhs!” said Karpal, who was Amnesty International’s “prisoner of conscience” for his detention without trial. Continue reading “Karpal Singh, always in the pursuit of justice”