Karpal a maverick lawyer, but always professional, says retired A-G Abu Talib
Karpal Singh was a maverick lawyer and politician who did what he believed to be right within the system, and not beyond the law, says former Attorney-General Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman in a tribute to the late veteran lawyer.
Abu Talib, who had on a number of occasions crossed swords with Karpal in his capacity as senior deputy public prosecutor or senior federal counsel, said the veteran DAP leader used the courts and the legislature to articulate his views without fear or favour.
"He did not take to the streets," Abu Talib told The Malaysian Insider when asked about the 73-year-old lawyer and former DAP national chairman who died in a car accident early Thursday morning.
Abu Talib, who was the A-G between 1980 and 1993, said others may not have shared the Bukit Gelugor MP's views but he nevertheless acted with conviction.
Karpal had also proved that one could bring about the desired changes for the benefit of the people and the nation by acting peacefully at the right forum, he added.
Abu Talib, 75, described his relationship with Karpal as purely professional.
"We knew each other in the courtroom when we were on the opposing side," said Abu Talib.
"He was a good advocate who has a strong foundation in law. He was very aggressive during cross-examination and raised his voice but that was a trait of Karpal," he said.
Abu Talib said the veteran lawyer prepared and presented his briefs well and he had to be equally prepared to face him.
"He was professional when conducting cases and did not take things lying down," he said, adding that the greatness about Karpal was that he did not mislead the court to win.
He recalled a case in which he appeared as federal counsel and Karpal represented the opposing side, in a judicial review application to
challenge the legality of an emergency regulation.
"I thought Karpal had a very good case but the court ruled in favour of the government, but he accepted the ruling in good spirit," he said.
After his retirement, Abu Talib was appointed conducting officer in the Royal Commission of Inquiry in 1999 when former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was assaulted while under detention.
Karpal represented Anwar in the inquiry.
"He advanced his case for Anwar to the best of his ability," said Abu Talib.
That was the first RCI whose recommendations Putrajaya adhered to.
Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor, the inspector-general of police in 1998, was charged with assaulting Anwar and was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and a RM2,000 fine.
Abu Talib also recalled that it was Karpal who first raised the D.P. Vijandran pornographic videotape scandal in Parliament in 1989.
Vijandran was a deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat at the time.
"The government referred the matter to me as A-G and public prosecutor and I used my discretion to order for the police to destroy the evidence after considering all circumstances," said Abu Talib.
He said Karpal was very vocal about it and as a politician, Karpal did what he believed to be right.
"But that was the fight between the opposition and the ruling party," he said, referring to Karpal tendering a copy of the tape to the House deputy speaker in 1992 during a debate.
Vijandran resigned from office in March 1992 and two years later, he was charged with fabricating evidence in relation to a smut video tape. However, he was finally acquitted by the Court of Appeal in 1999.
Karpal was killed in a road accident at about 1am on Thursday morning when his Toyota Alphard collided with a lorry on the North-South Expressway near
Kampar, Perak .
His long-time aide Michael Cornelius Selvam Vellu also died in the accident, while his Indonesian domestic helper was seriously injured. Karpal's son Ramkarpal and the driver sustained minor injuries.
The prominent lawyer's funeral will be held in Penang tomorrow. - April 19, 2014.
