It’s so saddening that a person’s good deeds and achievements are only known and spoken about upon his/her demise. Karpal Singh should have been honoured when he stood up for independence of the judiciary, rule of law, human rights, justice, and how he painstakingly gave actual interpretation of dead letters of the Malaysian constitution.
He was instead treated so badly that he may have passed on but no true Malaysians can ever forget this in their lifetime. He was inter alia prosecuted under the colonial obsolete law - the Sedition Act - only for giving his legal opinion on an issue pertaining to the sultan of Perak.
A fine of RM4,000 and losing his position of MP of Bukit Gelugor was insufficient .They just had to go further to seek a custodial sentence for a man who had all his life contributed profoundly to the legal profession and politics. They just wanted this aged and disabled man to spend his golden years behind bars.
However, the civilised and good mannered people of Malaysia who knew Karpal should always celebrate his life’s long struggles and achievements. He was a clean, good family man, party chairperson, lawyer of lawyers, a very distinguished member of parliament, a great advocate for his clients and fought until his last days with bravery to uphold democracy in Malaysia.
Even in the last minutes of his life he died in the course of his duty to his client - to prepare his client’s case for next morning.
I had only met Karpal on a few occasions. But these few moments of acquaintance coupled with my dire need for someone to shake us and make us see that things should be done the right way and fairly, I had always been following his media reports and statements since my schooldays.
I remember back in the late 70s we did not have much materials on motivation and Karpal will inevitably say things that could give you strength and courage. I remember one in particular that I always use to draw strength from.
“Each time you fall, remember iron is added in your soul. You become stronger and this helps you bounce back better. Sometimes failure is good for the soul.” He had said this when his writ of habeas corpus - to be produced in court alive for a fair trial from Kamunting Detention Camp was shot down.
Karpal, all your statements like, “They are not doing the right thing. But I plan to give them a run for their money. I will fight till the Federal Court and if at the end of it I have to go then that’s too bad.I have nothing left to lose.” So true, he lost nothing in his death. In fact he gained, gained greater respect of an icon, hero, warrior fierce tiger... he truly was a Malaysian Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi of Malaysia.
In life he glued Pakatan Rakyat into our diverse society and in death he drew respect from all shades of the political spectrum. He commanded the admiration of legion of his admirers and supporters, and doffed hats from his adversaries.
Unity to the country in collective mourning
In his closure he brought unity to the country in collective mourning. His demise shows the real meaning of 1Malaysia, a Malaysia for all Malaysians. That’s Sardar Karpal Singh. It did not bother him if he hadn’t any royal titles, mortal encasements or riches. Albeit he had a lot of unfinished business, I’m sure his sons and daughter and the right thinking people will walk his path.
Karpal's huge funeral procession shows that a saint had marched to Heaven, in his palms people’s prayers, well-wishes, praises and blessings.
He shall always be Bapa Demokrasi Malaysia, Bapa 1Malaysia... a simple Karpal with great steps and soul of steel.
Karpal was a loving, husband to Gurmeet, father to his children and loving grandfather to his grandchildren. Thank you Gurmeet and family for sharing Karpal with the whole nation and world at large. A distinguished human who cared for others before himself. His commitment to the highest order of thinking distinguished him from the rest of the politicians who were always seeking to hurt him for their selfish objectives.
Karpal you have left, but may God Almighty grant his blessings on all those who walk your path to uphold the rule of law, Malaysian constituion, seeking the independence of the judiciary and protecting human rights.
R.I.P Tiger of Jelutong.
