Two Gerakan leaders have come forward to offer their assistance to the driver charged with dangerous and reckless driving resulting in the death of DAP chairperson Karpal Singh in Ipoh in April.

Gerakan's national human rights bureau chief Baljit Singh said he is willing to represent the driver C Selvam, who is currently behind bars in Kampar, Perak.

"Out of respect for Karpal who always fought for justice across racial, religious and political lines, we will set aside politics and offer our help," he told Malaysiakin i.

"We understand that Karpal's family is unable to help Selvam as they are party and witness to the court proceedings, it would be a conflict of interest if they were to post bail for him," Baljit ( left ), a lawyer, added.

"Please do not misconstrue this as us wanting to gain political mileage but that I am also doing it because Karpal's eldest son, Jagdeep, is a personal friend and have my utmost respect," he stressed.

He added that Gerakan secretary-general Dr Thor Teong Ghee will be forking out the RM5,000 bail for Selvam by Tuesday.

Unable to post bail

Selvam, 27, is claiming trial to the charge of committing the offence along the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung, Kampar, where the vehicle he was driving collided with a lorry at around 1.10am on April 17.

Karpal, 74, and his personal aide, Michael Cornelius, 39, died on the spot that day, while his third son, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal, 38, escape with slight injuries.

Selvam, who is brother to Michael Cornelius, is currently in prison on remand as he is unable to post bail of RM5,000, while the court has fixed Aug 8 for mentioning his case.

In an immediate response, Ramkarpal said it is up to anyone to offer help to Selvam as he has every right to be represented in any court of law.

"In fact, he should and must be represented like everyone else who is in the same predicament," he told Malaysiakin,” he said, adding that they will not stop from helping him when contacted.

Ramkarpal ( left ), also a lawyer, expressed unhappiness with today’s The Star report headlined "Karpal's family powerless to help jailed driver" published on Page 6.

"I want to make it very clear that it is not our intention to desert Selvam nor are we vindictive of what he has done," he said.

"We cannot represent him or post bail due to the legal implications," he added.

Avoidably bitter footnote to Karpal's legacy