masterwordsmith-unplugged

When I checked my messages during breakfast at half past seven, I was beyond shock when I read some messages about the untimely and tragic death of MP Karpal Si- aka Tiger of Jelutong and his assistant, Michael Cornandez. My family and I wish to express our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of this fearless MP.

Two Malaysians who shaped my political perspectives from the time I was a little girl, are definitely Karpal Singh and Tunku Abdul Rahman. And now, both of them are gone. He inspired me during the 1960s and 1970s to be more interested in the political arena and his fearlessness was certainly unforgettable.

I doubt there will ever be another Malaysian from the Opposition who can have such a record and who leaves behind not only a legacy of his deeds but also a family who are walking in his footsteps. May they carry on the good work left behind by their beloved father.

Farewell, Tiger of Jelutong. You will go down in history for who you are and what you did for this country.

May he and his assistant rest in peace always.

Here's a report from TMI:


Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh died in a car accident on the North-South Expressway this morning near Gua Tempurung, Kampar in Perak.

Kampar police chief Superintendent Ng Kong Soon confirmed that Karpal died in a road accident at KM306.1 of the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung at 12.40 am today.

Karpal, who would have turned 74 in June, was believed to be travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang to attend a court hearing scheduled for this morning.

Born in Penang on June 28, 1940, Karpal graduated with a law degree from the National University of Singapore.

Karpal's political career began in 1970 when he joined the DAP. He won a seat in the Kedah State Legislative Assembly in 1974.

He was first elected to Parliament in 1978 as the representative for Jelutong, Penang, and held the seat for more than 20 years until losing it in 1999.  It is during this time that Karpal earned the moniker, “Tiger of Jelutong.”

He returned to parliament in the next general election, and led the DAP to its strongest ever performance in the 2008 general election.

Karpal leaves behind a wife, five children and four grandchildren.

Police said he died on the spot. There were three other occupants in Karpal's Toyota Alphard, which has the iconic number plate KS9898.

His long-time assistant Michael Cornelius Selvam Vellu also died, while Karpal's son Ramkarpal and the driver were injured.

The mood at the Kampar Hospital mortuary was highly emotional as family members of the late Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh arrived.

His wife Gurmit Kaur was inconsolable  as she wailed "Why why", while his son, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, who was holding his mother all the way to the mortuary, also broke down.

The badly-damaged Toyota Alphard, which has the iconic number plate KS9898, owned by the late Karpal Singh who died early this morning today after the car lost control following a collision with a lorry. – April 17, 2014.
The badly-damaged Toyota Alphard, which has the iconic number plate KS9898, owned by the late Karpal Singh who died early this morning today after the car lost control following a collision with a lorry. – April 17, 2014.
Karpal's daughter Sangeet Kaur Deo and eldest son Jagdeep Singh Deo was also seen grieving over the loss of their father.

They arrived at the hospital at about 5.15am.

The bodies of Karpal and Michael will be sent to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh for post-mortem.

Police said the multi-purpose vehicle was badly-damaged after losing control following a collision with a lorry.

Karpal, who recently resigned as DAP national chairman, became paralysed and wheelchair-bound after a car accident in 2005.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wrote on his Facebook page: "We've lost a colleague. An indefatigable fighter for justice. The legendary Karpal Singh. Our sincere condolences to the family. RIP."

Also, the reaction to this tragic news has been swift with leaders from both sides of the divide taking to Twitter to express their sorrow.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also conveyed his condolences.

"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," read Najib's tweet.

"Shocked and sad news! DAP chairman Karpal Singh passed away in accident tonight. Malaysia has lost a truly patriotic son," wrote Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming.

"Our dear Mr Karpal is no longer with us... I just can't accept it...," said Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching.

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim tweeted: "The country has lost a noted political figure and a competent lawyer. My condolences to the family of the late Karpal Singh."

PKR's vice-president Tian Chua tweeted about the tragic news and he said that he was sad and speechless upon hearing the news.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin wrote on his Twitter handle that he got a “sad” wake up call from Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican Naina.

"I immediately called @GobindSinghDeo and Jagdeep. These are truly sad calls in life. There is a void, a huge void to be filled in parliament as well as in court rooms. Farewell, Tiger of Jelutong," Sim tweeted. – April 17, 2014.