Well-known lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar is not impressed with the offer by several political parties to bail out the late Karpal Singh's jailed driver, C Selvam.

 

He is behind bars, charged with dangerous and reckless driving causing the death of the late DAP chairperson, and is being held under remand in Kampar.

 

"I think they are politicising things unfairly," he told Malaysiakini today.

 

"There are many others who have been charged and are in jail and in need of representation.

"Why not offer to assist those people?" Malik asked.

He also ticked off politicians for sniping at DAP and Karpal's family for not defending Selvam.

 

"Karpal's family is supposed to defend the driver of the car? Really? Ridiculous.

"And for those who invoke Karpal Singh's memory to justify this, shame on you. It’s disgusting," he slammed.

 

Yesterday, Gerakan , MIC and Parti Cinta Malaysia offered free legal services and offering of RM5,000 towards bail for Selvam, who is in remand in Kampar, Perak.

 

Gerakan national legal and human rights bureau chief Baljit Singh ( left ) said the party was helping Selvam out of its respect for Karpal, and will put politics aside on this matter.

 

PCM vice-president Huan Cheng Guan went even further, saying he would help Selvam who has served Karpal for many years.

 

On April 17, the vehicle he was driving collided with a lorry, which resulted in the death of Karpal, and his personal aide Michael Cornelius, at 1.10am along the North-South Highway near Gua Tempurung.

 

Karpal's third son, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, and their Indonesian maid, Selfiana Rengga, escaped with injuries.

'DAP can't help both sides'

 

Malik said Karpal's driver deserves a fair trial but that didn't detract from the fact that he needs to be tried.

 

"The course of justice requires it and doesn't the course of justice matter? Or the fact that they are aggrieved?" Malik asked.

 

Meanwhile, the DAP has agreed to offer legal assistance to the families of Karpal, Cornelius, and Selfiana.

 

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said he will lead a team of lawyers formed for this purpose.

 

"We will hold a watching brief at the Sessions Court Kampar and also file the necessary civil suits if necessary," Gobind said in a statement.

 

Gobind ( right ) said it is unfortunate that some quarters have thought it fit to politicise the matter and criticise and condemn publicly Karpal's family and the DAP for failing to assist Selvam in this case.

 

"Those criticisms are sorely misplaced. Assisting Selvam in this case simply does not and cannot arise as we are assisting the victims in this case instead," he said.

 

"One cannot assist or act for both sides in any court proceeding, what more in a criminal prosecution. This is most basic," Gobind added.

 

"What happened to the victims in this case was most horrific and nothing can soothe the pain and grief of the families and those affected in the incident," he stressed.

 

Gobind said there have been urgings for justice for the accused in this case, but he hoped there will be justice for the victims as well.

 

"The attorney-general has thought it fit to prosecute Selvam in this case. We will leave it to him to prosecute and the court to decide the fate of Selvam," Gobind said.

 

"If Selvam is found to have committed no wrong, then he must be cleared," he added.

 

"But if he is found to have committed an offence, he must like everyone else who are subject to the laws of Malaysia, face the necessary consequences," he said.

MCA: Abandoning 'lowly driver'

This morning MCA publicity bureau deputy chairperson Marco Yap took a jab at DAP saying, "If DAP can abandon Karpal’s loyal but lowly driver, think how DAP will fail you."

"It is strange that despite Pakatan’s large pool of lawyers who are ever ready to represent Pakatan leaders and street demonstrators whenever they are charged with sedition or illegal assembly, how is it that none of these legal professionals are able to post bail for the late Karpal’s driver?" said Yap in a statement.

"Voters are urged to take cognisance that if DAP can abandon Karpal’s faithful driver in Selvam’s hour of need, imagine how easily DAP can rocket down (pun unintended) its promises to the constituencies?" he continued.