Barisan, Pakatan leaders pay respect, share anecdotes of Karpal
Politicians from both sides of the divide were part of the long queue that formed outside the late Karpal Singh’s house as people from all walks of life came to pay their respect to the late opposition veteran today.
They all had a memory or anecdote to share.
De facto Law Minister Nancy Shukri recalled fondly her final dealing with the late lawyer in parliament over the Judges' Remuneration (Amendment) Bill 2013.
She said the Bukit Gelugor MP conducted himself very professionally and never once mentioned anything about his own sedition case, which was pending appeal.
"When he debated the bill, he never said anything about his own case. That was why I made a point to praise him for his professionalism in my winding up speech," she told reporters after paying respect to the veteran DAP parliamentarian at his home in Penang this morning.
The Dewan Rakyat passed the bill, which entitled judges who resign before age 60 but have served for at least five years, to pension benefits on April 9. The bill also provides for an annual increment of 2% on the pension.
Nancy, who is a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said she had always respected Karpal for his charisma and professional abilities as a lawyer and politician.
"I hope there will be more like him," she said, adding that she never got to know Karpal better but she had the opportunity to speak to him casually during parliament meetings.
"We would exchange greetings at the entrance. I had more conversations with his son, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo.
"I remember asking Karpal about his Toyota Alphard and the special modifications that accommodated wheel chaired users. My mother is also bound to a wheelchair and I was thinking of getting a vehicle with such features for her," she said recounting a conversation she had with the wheelchair bound veteran MP.
Karpal, 73, was killed in a car accident yesterday at 1am on the North-South Expressway near Kampar, Perak when his Toyota Alphard collided with a lorry. The collision also killed his long-time aide Michael Cornelius Selvam Vellu while his son Ramkarpal and driver escaped with minor injuries.
Gombak MP and PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali will remember how Karpal defended him in the final parliament meeting last Thursday.
He was ejected from the House by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia after he tried to push for the motion to debate the actions of the judiciary under Parliamentary Standing Order 36 (8) and Article 127 of the Federal Constitution.
"After I was ejected, Karpal continued to defend me in the house before the opposition MPs staged a walkout.
"Karpal was a great leader who fought for human rights, justice and the sovereignty of the law. His struggles transcended political ideologies. He had inspired so many young politicians in this country," he said,
"I have always respected his conviction in struggling for the minority and all Malaysians. He had given me advice on our political struggle for 16 years... we will miss him," he said.
Datuk Jahara Hamid, state opposition leader, who also paid her respects to Karpal together with several Barisan Nasional assemblymen today, said Karpal was never personal when he spoke on issues.
"He was well above it. That is why he was well respected in the legal and political scenes. He will be missed by everyone.
"I never knew him personally but I looked up to him as a lawyer. As a law practitioner myself, I looked at him as a person who was always consistent in his principles.
"Penang has lost a renowned lawyer," she said.
Hundreds of people, including industry players and a large group of college students, paid respects to the revered leader at his home this morning.
Karpal will be accorded a funeral with state honours, where the Penang flag will be flown half mast until his funeral on Sunday.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said yesterday that the Penang flag would also cover Karpal's casket for the funeral.
The public will also be able to pay their last respects to Karpal at the Dewan Sri Pinang on Sunday morning between 9am and 11am. – April 18, 2014
