The late Karpal Singh has been named for a special award in recognition of his dedicated service to the nation for more than 40 years, Gandhi Memorial Trust (GMT) chairperson S Radhakrishnan said today.

He said the public service award would be presented by GMT at a special ceremony at the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur on June 30.

Radhakrishnan also described Karpal, a former DAP national chairperson and Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament, as a brilliant lawyer, an astute politician and parliamentarian and, above all, a strong human rights activist.

“Karpal’s life-long passion was the pursuit of social justice and the upholding the Malaysian constitution and the rule of law.

“He was a national treasure and will be clearly missed and lovingly remembered for his great contribution and sacrifices to make Malaysia a better place that all of us in Malaysia can be proud of,” Radhakrishnan told Bernama .

Karpal, known as the ‘Tiger of Jelutong’, died in a road accident at Km306.1 of the North-South Expressway, near Gua Tempurung in Kampa, Perak, early on April 17. He was 74.

Commenting further, Radhakrishnan said GMT had invited four prominent individuals with legal backgrounds to speak on the various facets of Karpal’s life and work before the presentation of the award.

They are retired judge of Court of Appeal Mahadev Shankar ( left ), former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law Mohd Zaid Ibrahim, former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan and lawyer Jagjit Singh, he said.

Karpal’s wife, Gurmit Kaur and all his children would also be attending the ceremony, besides 20 ambassadors and high commissioners and a number of judges and retired judges.

Those who wish to attend or require further details could send an email to radhakrishnan@shearndelamore.com .

- Bernama