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AS the tributes poured in for Karpal Singh I detached myself from the out-pouring of grief to become an observer, not a mourner hoping that this will enable me to be more objective when I pen my thoughts.

I also took my time as I did not want to be influenced by the emotions of the moment so I could present an unadulterated perspective of this man’s life and work.

However, I will tell you right now that I am going to fail miserably.

This is because I too as many Malaysians do, feel that we have lost our moral compass. Karpal after all was the only politician who called a spade a spade, unafraid of what it may do to his political career.

Who is going to roar his disapproval when we go down the wrong path? Who is going to rap our knuckles when we step out of line?

He was our conscience. Yes he was a politician but for Karpal politics was merely a tool for the cause.

He does not belong to the DAP. He belongs to all of us who subscribe to his ideals of justice and fairness.

"If you have no principles, you have nothing," the Tiger growled when I last interviewed him at his practice in Jalan Pudu Ulu in August.

"You have to make a stand and stick by it even if it makes you unpopular," he said, in between sips of tea from a cup held by Michael Cornelius – Karpal’s loyal aide who died in the same accident that robbed us of his Boss.

While many politicians had to eat their words, Karpal always put his money where his mouth is, always sticking by his principles even if it meant going after his senior DAP colleagues when they crossed the line.

Asked about his public reprimand of his senior party colleagues and if it was prudent politics to do so, he said what was important was to assure the people that the party sticks to its principles.

Hence when the DAP endorsed party hoppers from Barisan Nasional when the party had made a stand against such practices, he took his comrades to task.

"It is a betrayal of the electorate," said Karpal who had championed a law to penalise party-hopping.

"This is not the way we want to win elections."

Much has been written about his prowess as a lawyer, his crusade against the death penalty, his battles in Parliament, the hostility between him and his arch “nemesis” Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who at the end also conceded that Karpal had contributed to the nation.

However those privileged enough to know him outside the courtroom or the Dewan Rakyat will attest that he reserves his roar only for those who deserve it.

Otherwise, Karpal was a gentle soul who was kind to the Press and ever obliging to his numerous “fans” who would walk up to him for a handshake or selfie.

He generally spoke softly yet convincingly about his concerns for the country we are leaving behind for the next generation.



CLICK HERE to read the rest of this article by Terence Fernandez, Managing Editor, FZ.

A week after the tragic crash that took the lives of veteran lawyer and politician Karpal Singh and his personal aide, Michael Cornelius, his son Ramkarpal recounts the final hours with his father that fateful day. This is his story, as told to V. Anbalagan, assistant news editor of TMI here.

“My parents (Karpal and Gurmit) had gone to Pantai Hospital about 8pm on Wednesday (April 16) to visit my brother Gobind (Singh Deo) who was admitted.

They left about 8pm from my father's office in Jalan Pudu Lama together with Michael Cornelius and driver V. Selvam. The four returned home (in Bukit Ledang, Damansara) about 10pm and had dinner.

Pa, Michael, Selvam, our maid (Selfiana Rengga) and I were to leave that night for Penang. Pa and I were to appear in court the following day to represent a client charged with murder.


The weekend stay in Penang was also for Pa to meet his Bukit Gelugor constituents and prepare the petition of appeal for Anwar's (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) sodomy case.

Before we left, Pa told Michael to take him to his garden. We moved into this house six months ago and Pa was in love with his garden.

Going around the garden is not unusual for my dad and he does that occasionally. We then left about 11.30pm.

Pa was seated in the front beside the driver (they were in a Toyota Alphard). Michael sat directly behind dad. I was seated beside Michael. The maid sat alone at the back of the vehicle.

We exited through the Jalan Duta toll around midnight and for the next 20 minutes or so, I spoke to Pa about some cases, including a matter he had attended in the Court of Appeal earlier in the day and political issues gripping the nation.

As usual, he was cracking some witty jokes.

Slowly our conversation faded. I was still wide awake and tried to talk to Pa but he merely grunted his replies.

Michael was fast asleep, and so was the maid.

I tried to close my eyes but could not despite having worked out on the treadmill earlier in the evening.

I informed Selvam that I would take over at the wheel if he wanted to sleep but the driver replied he was fine.

Since I had no one to talk to, I looked outside at the passing vehicles.

Suddenly, Pa woke up and asked Michael to adjust his seating position and place a pillow behind his neck. Michael did that.

Moments later, both were fast asleep again.

Suddenly, I heard a loud crash and was jolted in my seat and realised that we were in an accident. The left side of our vehicle was ripped off.

I screamed and Selvam swerved the vehicle to the right before it came to a stop.

I then realised there was no sound or movement from Pa and Michael. I reached across the front seat and held on to Pa from behind, who was strapped in his seat, lying motionless. Many things ran through my mind in those few moments.

Michael was lying outside on the road. The maid was screaming.

Soon motorists stopped to help us but I did not get out of the vehicle as I was still holding onto Pa, hoping against hope that he had just passed out.

It was traumatic. I was holding on to Pa, Michael was lying outside and the maid was hysterical.

The Fire Department and police were at the scene within minutes and rescued the maid who was trapped by cutting through the vehicle roof.  She is still in Ipoh Hospital but is fine.

Selvam and I had only minor injuries.

The ambulance then arrived and only after they had taken the maid away, did I realise that my father and Michael had died at the scene. (Ambulances do not take away bodies.)

The only consolation was that both probably did not feel the impact of the crash because they were asleep. I think they were killed instantly.

Passing motorists as well as the cops and firemen were very understanding and compassionate during those brief but difficult moments. They held me as I stood there sobbing.

Before the police took Pa’s and Michael’s bodies away, I called my younger brother Mankarpal and broke the news to him. I went to the hospital in the police vehicle.

Ramkarpal is third among Karpal's five children. The 38-year-old bachelor worked in his father's law firm, Karpal and Co, in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.

He told The Malaysian Insider that he is still trying to get over events of that day.

"It's not easy. I am having a mental block. It is difficult to work but I will have to pull myself together and carry on his work," he said.

The accident occurred at KM301.6 of the North-South Expressway near Kampar, Perak, early Thursday morning. – April 24, 2014

It is a sad day today as one of the greatest sons of Penang, Karpal Singh, has been put to rest.

However, the Tiger will always remain in the hearts of many Malaysians who love him, especially Penangites, including myself.

Today, Malaysians paid their final respects to the late Malaysian icon Karpal Singh at the Dewan Sri Pinang in a state-honoured ceremony before his cortege left for Bukit Gantung where he was cremated.

Thousands, including family, friends, politicians from various parties and the public whose lives have been touched by Karpal in one way or another have thronged his house in Jalan Utama, Penang since his shocking death in the wee hours of the morning of April 17.

Karpal, who would have turned 74 in June, died in a tragic car crash along with his beloved helper J Michael Cornelius, 39, near Gopeng exit along the North-South Highhway.

The Bukit Gelugor MP who had an illustrious career in law and politics for 40 years, leaves behind his beloved wife Gurmit Kaur, five children, and ten grandchildren.

Malaysiakini gave a live report of the funeral proceedings from Penang.

LIVE REPORT

2.55pm: As the ceremony comes to a close, the crowd eventually disperses.

2.35pm: Karpal's body enters the furnace. Despite pleas from the family, the crowd refuses to leave.

2.33pm: Tempers flare as the crowd of people refuse to make room for Karpal's family as they prepare to move the coffin into the furnace.

Karpal's youngest son Man Karpal was seen grabbing a mobile phone belonging to a woman and smashed it against a wall in frustration.

2.30pm: People who managed to get into the crematorium compound are performing the final rites.

Jagdeep Singh sternly requests photographers to stop taking photos because Karpal's wife wants privacy at this final moment.

Many refuse to leave the facility, although some people have left to in anticipation of a traffic jam.

1.35pm: Lawyer Sukhindarpal Singh, who is waiting for Karpal's cortege to pass along Jalan Farquhar says, "Today is the people's funeral. People from all walks of life have come to pay their respects.

"They are not paid (to come) or organised into buses," he quips.

He says he has known Karpal since they were both kids, adding, "He was really down to earth. A people's man."

1.30pm: Traffic jams are reported in the vicinity of the route, which has grown into a 2km long procession.

From Malaysiakini's observations, there have been almost no traffic police on duty to control the traffic flow since this morning.

Instead, the Penang state government's volunteer squad is helping to manage the heavy traffic along the route.

Meanwhile on another matter, DAP says it will be organising memorial services at the state level all week beginning with Penang on Tuesday, up till May 2 in Negri Sembilan.

The national level memorial event will be in KL on April 24 and details will be announced soon, it says in a statement.

1.23pm: The procession passes by the DAP headquarters and is now on its way to the crematorium. Traffic is heavy along the route.

12.47pm: The cortege stops at St Xavier's Institution, Karpal's alma mater. The band plays the school anthem.

12.30pm: The procession reaches the second historic stop at the State Assembly Hall. Crowds along the route hold banners and DAP flags, and keep chanting, "Karpal Singh".

12.23pm: Outside, Karpal's constituents and voters from Island Glades under the Bukit Gelugor seat express disappointment they could not enter the Dewan earlier.

Meanwhile one woman comments, "We need to vote again. We heard his daughter might be standing for elections. It is okay, she looks smart."

As the van carrying his cortege passes by, Karpal's son Gobind reaches out to shake hands with the public, saying, "Thank you, thank you," as the people continue to chant his name.

12pm: As the cortege makes its  way around the four significant stops, crowds line the roads with some clapping and chanting "Karpal Singh! Karpal Singh!".

There is a massive traffic jam.

Famous blogger Anil Netto estimates the overall crowd at 20,000.

At present it is going around the Penang High Court and the superbikes convoy leads in front.

11.50am: Karpal's cortege leaves the dewan accompanied by the St Xavier's Institution band playing 'When The Saints Come Marching In'.

11.47am: The crowd in the street start clapping and chanting "Karpal Singh" when his cortege is carried out from the hall

11.30am: The Sikh community gathers around Karpal's coffin to say their final prayers. His grandchildren all dressed in white gather around.

Karpal's remains will leave soon for Batu Gantung for cremation, but not before he journeys around significant spots of his life: the Penang State Legislative assembly, St Xavier's Institution, his legal office in Jalan Green Hall and the Penang High Court on Jalan Faarquhar.

His family prepares to leave, and they close the glass top of his coffin.

The guests also start to exit.

11.30am: This morning the notorious Raja Bomoh of the MH370 coconut stunt fame weighs in on Karpal's accident saying it was the result of having disturbed the spirits of Gua Tempurung in the immediate vicinity of the accident zone.

Last night opposition members spotted the shaman at his antics again at the area.

"Passed by Km 302 and saw Raja Bomoh doing his stunt at late Karpal's accident scene.

"I was too shocked to do anything," tweeted Gelang Patah MP's political secretary Dyana Sofya Daud.

PKR legal affairs bureau chief Latheefa Koya also tweeted last night, "On our way back, we passed the accident scene, and saw Raja Bomoh doing a jampi with a bunch of leaves! Seriously, what is going on?"

11.30am: Law See Lam (right), 75, says he has been with DAP for 49 years and is sad at the loss of Karpal.

Hailing from Sepang, Selangor, he says being wheelchair-bound has not stopped her coming to pay his last respects to an old friend.

"I feel sad. I have been long friends with him.

"From the beginning of DAP, I have been a member," he tells Malaysiakini.

11.27am: The Penang governor leaves the hall but public is no longer allowed to enter.

The ceremony will proceed with the state government and representives from political parties and organisations paying last respects.

Earlier the crowd is asked to make way for the governor to leave.

When they refuse to budge from the front of the entrance, state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh pleads with the public, "Please, please move aside. I know how you feel, but please, we need you to move aside."

The hall has been open to the public for about two hours, and an estimated 7,200 members of the public are estimated to have entered to bid farewell.

11.11am: Everyone stands to allow the governor to pay his last respects. The various organisations then pay their respects one by one.

Each bows three times before the coffin in respect.

11.13am: The governor and the whole Penang state exco pay last respect to Karpal Singh and take a group photo.

10.30am: A minor commotion happens when DAP members start distributing Karpal posters and not everyone succeeds in getting one. A young man shouts,"Why have everyone gotten it except me?"

10:51am: 100 cyclists from seven Penang cycling clubs will ride from Dewan Sri Pinang to the crematorium in Batu Gantung.

G Club Penang president Lim Seh Guan says it is their way of paying tribute to Karpal.

"We feel sad for the loss of Penang's favourite son. We are here to share the family's grief.

"They are not alone. We are with you (the family)," he says.

10.56am: Penang Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas arrives with his wife. They pay their last respects. The session for the public will pause for awhile.

Guan Eng then presents his eulogy.

"The rakyat has lost a fearless 'tiger' with an indomitable spirit who stood up for the poor, weak, defenceless and dispossessed.

"But it is his fighting spirit that stands out. You can detain Karpal physically but you can never detain his spirit," reads Guan Eng's eulogy.

He ends it with Thomas Jefferson who said that "when the government fears the people, there is liberty; when the people fear the government, there is tyranny".

"Throughout his life, Karpal showed us how not to fear the government," says the CM.

10.50am: Though Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is supposed to start his eulogy at 10.15am, it has been postponed as the crowd is being allowed in to finish paying their final respects.

However, due to the sheer size of the crowd, officers are quickly ushering the public, who try to steal a few seconds to look at Karpal's face.

10.15am: The crowd swells to approximately 10,000 and many are still waiting to go in.

PSM secretary general S Arutchevan has managed to enter with his entourage of 20 members. Aliran president Francis Loh and former president P Ramakrishnan are also inside the Dewan, waiting to pay their respects.

Guan Eng's political secretary and Air Itam assemblyperson Wong Hoi Wai says Penang Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas is on his way.

"The crowd will be allowed in until he arrives," Wong says when asked if the time for the public to pay their respects would be extended.

10am: One hour more to go before the coffin departs, and the crowd waiting to get in grows impatient. Rayer, who was sent to address the problem, says the crowd has been split in two rows, on the left and right of the building.

"It is under control now," he says.

Some members of the public are complaining that DAP members are crowding the place and not allowing the public to come in.

Others who have given up coming inside are taking photos of the crowd lining up to pay respect to Karpal.

Some have been queueing since 7am but not been given opportunity to enter to pay their respects.

The crowd is shouting and clamouring to be allowed entry, but the officers say the crowd is too large to accommodate.

9.45am: Anti-lynas activist Wong Tack arrives and is seated where the MPs and assemblymen sit.

A woman has fainted outside and is being attended to by an ambulance. Another was brought into the Dewan as she was going to fall. She is seated near a cooler and is attended to by several DAP members.

People are saying that the crowd, in the thousands now, are more than when a state funeral was held for former CM Lim Chong Eu, in 2010.

9:35am: Many in the crowd outside are feeling dissatisfied and there is some pushing and shoving.

A man with his wife from Malacca tells Malaysiakini he has been waiting for an hour to get into the hall.

Several officers and DAP members are seen trying to calm the crowd and pleading with them to be patient.

9.20am Anwar Ibrahim arrives. He hugs Guan Eng and shakes hands with Karpal's sons Jagdeep Singh Deo and Gobind Singh Deo who are standing in front of the coffin.

9.15am: Penang High Court judge Mohd Zaki Mohd Yassin is seen with lawyer Ranjit Singh Dillion. They sit at the front row.

NGOs and organisations are told to register at the counter outside so they can pay respects collectively. State agency officers begin to pay their respects.

9am: PKR de facto leader and parliamentary opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is on his way to pay his last respects. He should be arriving soon.

Several members of the courthouse and lawyers are seen among the crowd.

As the public look solemnly over the glass top of Karpal's coffin, some have tears in their eyes. A senior with her walking stick almost breaks down in tears as she is escorted out.

An elderly man stops by and cries "Karpal Singh" twice and gives him a scout's honour.

The public starts shaking hands with Karpal's family as pass his cortege, but are reminded not to so as not to hold up the many, many more waiting outside.

9:07am: As hundreds flood the outside of Dewan Sri Pinang to pay their last respects the situation turns a little chaotic, with some pushing to get in and shouting, "Open the door" while others shout back, "Don't push!"

Seri Delima assemblyperspon RSN Rayer is despatched to control the situation.

8.45am: The public, starting with DAP members start to pay their final respects.

As they walk around Karpal's coffin, they are seen putting their hands together in prayer, while some offer flowers.

Outside the Dewan, the crowd jostle with one another to come closer to the entrance. MPs and assemblypersons from Pakatan and Karpal's family members have taken their seats on both sides of the cortege.

8.15am: Karpal's cortege arrives. The emcee announces for people crowding the pathway to the Dewan to make way.

The St Xavier's Institute band has begun playing the song 'When the Saints Come Marching In' as his cortege is being carried in.

8am: The crowd has grown to about 1,000.

DAP members including Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his father Kit Siang are already inside the Dewan, waiting for Karpal's cortege to arrive at about 8.15am.

The public will be allowed in by 8.30am. People have queued to await the arrival of the casket.

Among the crowd is lawyer M Visvanathan who arrived in Penang at about 5am to pay his last respects.

He says the government should declare this a national day of mourning because such is the impact of Karpal Singh's legacy.

"The younger generation needs to fill the giant footsteps left behind by Karpal. We are all merely wearing small shoes unlike him.

"He walked the talk and lived by his principles, he was deep rooted in fair and right (against) wrong. That made him stand out among the rest.

7.50am: The vehicle which carries Karpal's cortege departs from the house followed by hundreds of cars, motorbikes and cyclists.

7.30am: Dewan Sri Pinang is already teeming with people, waiting for his cortege to arrive at 9am. The cortege is to leave Karpal's home at 8.15am after final prayers there.

A big white truck with the banner 'Sdr Karpal Singh Dalam Kenangan 1940 - 2014' is seen parked on the side of the Penang Civil and Magistrate Court, on the right of Dewan Sri Pinang.

Facebook photos AT THIS LINK.

Like many, I belong to the generation who grew up hearing the great name and deeds of Karpal Singh who fought tirelessly for a just Malaysia that would adhere to constitutionalism at all costs.

The fact that I had never met the man personally did not stop me from developing a profound admiration for his fighting spirit. In the past 15 years especially, the borderless Internet has made access to news and information far easier, and I enjoy thoroughly watching Karpal’s public speeches and listening to his uplifting messages that he was hammering home.

Most importantly, coming from a generation when legal practice was highly respected and in which lawyers and judges must work strenuously, arduously and judiciously to prove their worth, Karpal has clearly left a deep imprint in Malaysian society.

In any mature and healthy parliamentary democracy, the tragic and untimely passing of an outstanding lawyer and also a formidable parliamentarian who has contributed tremendously to upholding the true spirit of law and constitution as well as to the democratic process would rightly deserve a full and proper acknowledgement by the state, and parliament would be recalled so that fellow lawmakers could have an opportunity to pay tributes to an experienced and well respected statesman.

But Karpal was not born in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada or New Zealand but Malaysia. Be that as it may, one can take comfort in the fact that the Tiger of Jelutong himself would have no regret being born a true son of Malaysian soil and fighting a good fight for a country that he held dear.

Karpal’s powerful legal arguments, unshakeable sense of principle, impeccable command of the English language and, needless to say, sacrosanct adherence to the secular basis of the Malaysian consitution are largely unmatched by others. Without belittling those who are in the legal fraternity, the Tiger is indeed a tough act to follow.

It is already public knowledge that Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh have been the twin pillars of the Democratic Action Party. With Karpal's departure, Kit Siang’s journey to a better Malaysia has become all the more lonely.

Karpal’s role in Malaysian politics can never be underestimated. Despite the readily available young blood in the party, I would say none has his acute sense of constitutionalism and legal insight as of now. As Malaysia is on the verge of democratic change, a senior and experienced lawmaker who is fastidious - almost to the point of being dogmatic - about the rule of law would be badly needed, whicn makes the untimely demise of Karpal all the more lamentable.

Never partisan and communal

What distinguishes Karpal from other politicians - be they from the BN or Pakatan - is that he is never partisan and communal in terms of political view. One hardly heard him talking about ethnicity, race or religion, for his leitmotif has always been the constitution, the constitution and the constitution.

And it is this unassailable conviction and unswerving determination that prompted him to support Mahathir Mohamad in curtailing the powers of the monarch in accordance with the constitution back in 1993, their political differences notwithstanding. And the same Karpal would have no qualms in chastising PAS whenever the latter was (and still is) bent on implementing hudud.

As for those who are quick ot accuse Karpal of being anti-Islam, they would do well to know the man once represented a group of Muslim girls in Singapore who wanted to have their headgear on in school. As far as Karpal was concerned, it mattered not if one was Muslim or else, or Chinese or Indian, but whether one's rights were enshrined in the constitution. Bravo!

I must admit I myself have in the past misunderstood Karpal when it came to the Islamic state issue, criticising him for seeking to upstage his coalition partners by tackling the PAS leadership head-on.

In retrospect, it is clear that the presence of Karpal in Pakatan has been a wonderful and  immense blessing to the country, for only he would have the valour to speak up when the politicians and the masses were on the wrong side of the constitution. It is this unique quality that has earned him the respect of both Mahathir and Nik Aziz Nik Mat, PAS’s spiritual leader.

Yes, I am truly wrong to have once considered Karpal to be in the same league as other political publicists, but I am certain the good man would just laugh at me and move on to the issues that should deserve his utmost attention.

Rest in peace, Karpal. You have given your best and will be sorely missed. We are doomed to failure as a nation if we do not rise up against the bigots and safeguard secular constitutionalism as you have valiantly done. I will mourn now no doubt, but I will make sure I emerge stronger, braver and wiser thereafter.

After all, being proud of and thankful to you is not enough, for your biggest legacy would be that we all become inspired by you to take up the cause and fight on fearlessly for a better Malaysia. So long!

Written by JOSH HONG who studied politics at London Metropolitan University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. A keen watcher of domestic and international politics, he longs for a day when Malaysians will learn and master the art of self-mockery, and enjoy life to the full in spite of politicians.

Malaysiakini

This morning, I met up with my former student, Peter Ooi, and his family who live in Richmond. On my way to Flamingo Hotel, I passed the home of the late Karpal Singh. A long slow crawl...but for once - no one honked. No one overtook. It was almost as if all drivers were waiting in anticipation of that moment in front of his home just to whisper a prayer for the late Tiger of Jelutong.

I was right behind a lorry that was ferrying plastic chairs to the home. On both sides of the road were scores of reporters and concerned citizens. A lump filled my throat as I passed the house. My attempt to take a snapshot failed as some policemen were standing on the pavement to my right.

On my way home after spending time with Peter and his family, once again, I passed by the home. This time, workers were busy putting up structures and again, the traffic was moving solemnly at a crawl.

I believe the nation is quietly crying within. Seldom has Malaysia seen a politician who has been consistent in his zeal, zest and fervour for justice. If there is any man worthy of being called the exemplary opposition leader, it would be Karpal Singh.

Truly, he has left a void that NONE can ever fill...or maybe his sons or a new breed of political leaders who do not pander to the whims and fancies of leaders but to justice and truth.

May he and his loyal assistant rest in peace always. May his family be comforted during this period of grief. My deepest condolences to his loved ones and friends. Please leave a comment or tribute to this model leader if you are moved to do so. Thank you.

Here is another moving piece ...

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.

Others waiting at the scene were Karpal’s son Penang executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Perak PAS chairperson Nizar Jamaluddin and Penang leaders such as state exco member Phee Boon Poh and Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer.

As one point, Lim was seen in tears as he hugged Gobind, offering his condolences, drawing tears from onlookers as well.

Since then, many supporters of the veteran lawyer and DAP, have gathered outside the building, which was only officially opened yesterday.

About 8.30am, Karpal's driver, C Selvam was seen approaching the building, sobbing loudly, as he was whisked away by several others.

A security guard, who happens to hail from Dato Keramat in Penang, where Jagdeep is the assemblyperson, said Karpal is the first person to be brought to the mortuary.

"We have not seen such a big man die here before. This is the first time we are seeing this. I knew about the incident at 5am and I am shocked as I know about the  political careers of Karpal and his son Jagdeep," the guard, who did not want to be named, told Malaysiakini.

Extracted from Malaysiakini

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.