Candlelight vigils were held in Penang and Kuala Lumpur to pay tribute to the late Karpal Singh, whose sudden death in the early morning of Apr 17 shocked the nation.

In Penang, about 100 attended the event organised by ATC college law students at the Esplanade, where the crowd lit candles and placed them on a banner printed with the names of Karpal and his personal assistant Michael Cornelius.

Michael, 39, died along with his 74 year-old boss in a tragic car crash near the exit of Gopeng on the North-South highway.

As mourners wrote messages on the banner, the crowd held white candles and observed a minute of silence to pray for Karpal’s and Michael’s souls.

Vigil organiser Sanjey Balaraman, 22, said the students were moved to hold the event as Karpal is a legal icon who has inspired them all to take up law studies.

“The event is non-political and did not involve any political party,” he said, adding that Karpal’s nephew, Dalbinder Singh was invited to speak on behalf of the family last night.

'Fought for the common man'

“Two years ago, I drove Karpal to Kuala Lumpur around 11pm after we were informed that a nephew had died. Michael sat beside me like a co-driver, while Karpal sat at the back,” Dalbinder said.

"When we reached Ipoh, I started to fall asleep and stepped on the brakes until the car nearly stopped at the middle of the road,” he added.

“Michael immediately woke me up, this showed how concerned he was about Karpal’s safety. After that I took three bottles of Red Bull at a rest stop and I was able to drive to KL," he reminisced

Dalbinder recalled another occasion when he met one of Karpal’s clients, who was very grateful to the latter for defending him in a murder case.

“Karpal did not take a single cent from this man. He always defended those who are underprivileged,” Dalbinder said fondly of his uncle.

Karpal had said that as long as he was still alive, he would continue the struggle to ensure a better Malaysia for all Malaysians, regardless of their backgrounds, Dalbinder added.

"Karpal fought against laws and policies that did not benefit the people. He never denied the rights of bumiputeras but asked for fairness and equality for all,” he said.

“As for Michael, he was always quiet in front of the press, but he always smiled and was very helpful to Karpal,” he added.

Farewells in all languages

Meanwhile, a similar vigil was held at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur last night where some 150 people, mostly clad in black turned up to show their respect for Karpal.

They illuminated the night with their white candles and wrote farewell messages on a scrapbook on a table beside Karpal's portrait that bore the words 'Karpal Singh: True Malaysian'.

The multiracial crowd of various ages also scribbled their notes of appreciation and condolences on a long sheet of white cloth, which will be brought to Penang today and presented to Karpal's family.

Among the messages in Malay, Mandarin and English from the public read, "A hero died but not gone, Karpal's spirit stays with us always and forever", "People's hero - Thank you YB Karpal for your sacrifice" and "Justice tiger RIP".

A few prominent figures such as social activist Wong Chin Huat and Bar Council human rights committee co-chaiperson Andrew Khoo also made speeches in Karpal's honour at the solemn ceremony.

"Karpal was not very popular because people found him to speak the inconvenient truth.

"Today we take stock and are grateful that this nation had a great son like him who would stand up for his principles," said Wong.

"He (Karpal) was persecuted for his principles and suffered for his convictions... Yet he was always kind to fellow lawyers, even the junior ones, and had a spirit of accommodation and accessibility," said Khoo ( above ).

'Wish I'd met Karpal'

Environmental consultant Surinjeet Singh said he had never met Karpal in his life, but turned up last night to pay his respects.

"With deep regret, I have never met Karpal Singh... but it's like a family member had passed away," he said.

Culinary consultant Phang Sce Haw, who had helped put together last night's citizen's initiative, said the ceremony was to provide an opportunity for people in KL who wanted to bid Karpal farewell but could not attend his funeral in Penang.

"People do not realise how reliant they are on leaders until they have lost them.

"But with Karpal's passing I hope people will carry on his work by sharing his burden," she said.