Karpal Singh, and why we say nice things when someone dies

The Tiger of Jelutong has been laid to rest. We have all seen the outpouring of respect and love at the funeral and in the social media for Karpal Singh.

It was one of those rare events in Malaysia where a leader, especially from the Opposition, received so much publicity and praise. Even his major political foes said good things about him.

Two questions pop up: One, why do we say nice things about someone when she passes away? And two, why do we often say good things about a person only after he dies and not while he is alive?

To answer the first question: I think it comes down to culture and decency. It is the decent thing to do when someone has passed on. Perhaps it is because he can no longer defend himself. Or perhaps it is because we too will die and we wouldn’t want anyone making negative comments about us when we are dead.

There could be other reasons that I am not aware of.

So, when someone dies, and you say nasty things about him (or her) or make snide remarks, as some people did in the case of Karpal Singh, it just reflects on your cultural or religious upbringing and your values.

Perkasa Vice-President Datuk Zulkifli Noordin, for instance, came under fire for his insensitive tweets over the tragic death of the Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament.

Zulkifli saw Karpal’s death as helping clear the path for the implementation of the Islamic hudud law in Kelantan. Karpal was one of the most, if not the most, vociferous opponents to the introduction of hudud in Malaysia as he felt it would go against the Constitution.

Zulkifli, of course, was only exercising his freedom of speech; nothing wrong in that. But when you say anything about someone who has just died, you have to be more careful.

That is why Umno Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin told Zulkifli to “Shut up. Really, shut up.” And that reflects the type of person that Khairy is, or at least his values.

Langkawi MP Nawawi Ahmad of the Barisan Nasional made some not-so-nice remarks about Karpal and faced the wrath of netizens too. He has since apologised.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, showed the right touch of propriety when he said of Karpal: “In politics, he was an implacable leader; in law, a committed advocate.”

“At this difficult time, our thoughts are with the families of those who have died in the accident. I extend my deepest condolences to them. We pray that the other passengers make a full recovery,” Najib added, reflecting not just maturity but a prime ministerial care by bringing in the other dead and the injured into his statement.

Others, whose political foe he had been, chose their words carefully so as to not appear as if they were praising Karpal too much or being dismissive. Some wanted to be politically correct.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, for instance, described Karpal as a bold man who gave voice to the people and that Karpal had lived up to his role as an MP.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, for instance, kept it neutral in a tweet: "My heartfelt condolences to the family of YB Karpal Singh on his untimely demise."

But former Works Minister Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu was not constrained by any political considerations or reservations. Although both of them had faced-off frequently over issues and accusations, sometimes bitterly, Samy Vellu heaped praise on the late Democratic Action Party chairman.

In doing so, Samy Vellu showed his humanity and maturity. He described Karpal as a parliamentarian who could be trusted and who sought perfection in his work. He said Karpal always raised issues for the benefit of the people.

“I cried when I heard of his tragic death,” said Samy Vellu. And I believe him. He is the sort who can lash out when angry and forgive just as soon as the anger subsides.

Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi too showed his maturity when he said: “We are poorer for the loss of a great legal mind and a crusader for justice and human rights.”

Of course his comrades in the Opposition – including Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang – heaped praise on him, as did many in the legal fraternity. And the fact that many ordinary people feel the loss, shows that Karpal had indeed touched the lives, or earned the respect, of many Malaysians.

I was waiting to see what former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had tangled often, and bitterly, with Karpal, would say. Especially so since in a letter dated April 3, 2008 to Karpal, Dr Mahathir had written: "You are moved by pure hatred and I cannot respond to people who can never accept reality... I think you are the most contemptible of politicians and individuals.”

But Dr Mahathir did not disappoint me. He not only showed his maturity but also stated a fact when he said Karpal had contributed much to the nation and that Karpal was critical of the government when he perceived that things were not right.

Dr Mahathir added: "Some of his criticisms might not be correct, but some had basis. We need people from the opposition who talk sense." Dr Mahathir showed his decent side here.

Of those in the ruling coalition, Gerakan Deputy President Datuk Dr Cheah Soon Hai went furthest by describing Karpal as an “elder statesman and a true Malaysian” and saying that Karpal was one of the few people in the country who had left a legacy. He hoped there would be more like Karpal.

Now, why didn’t these people say these things while he was still alive? Why do we say nice things when someone dies but not when he is still alive?

Is it a question of political strategy (if one is a politician)? Is it because we don’t feel the need to praise someone while he is still alive? Is it the fear that it might go to his or her head? Or is it a question of our ego? Perhaps in our hearts we don’t want another person to look bigger or better than us; and a dead man is no longer a threat to us or our image.