Penang wants answers over cops’ no-show at Karpal funeral
The Penang government will ask the police to explain why they were missing from crowd control duties during the state funeral for Karpal Singh.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the police did not turn up as planned to conduct crowd control outside Dewan Sri Pinang, where Karpal's casket was placed for the public to pay their respects during the state funeral.
"The state government will conduct a post-mortem to determine the reasons behind the police not turning up as planned and work towards overcoming the weaknesses that may have caused any inconvenience to the public," he said in a statement today.
Yesterday morning, some 25,000 people attended the public ceremony.
All along Karpal's final journey from Dewan Sri Pinang to the crematorium in Bukit Gantung, the roads were flooded with thousands of people.
The funeral procession also made three stops - at the Penang High Court, St Xavier's Institute and the state legislative assembly - being landmarks that illustrated Karpal's early education and remarkable career in law and politics.
Lim thanked the people for turning up at the event and said the government did not expect such a huge crowd.
"We wish to apologise to all who came from far and near but did not have the opportunity to pay their last respects to Karpal Singh at Dewan Sri Pinang.
"We hope that the public can forgive and overlook any shortcomings during the public funeral," he said.
Lim also thanked the 3,000 motorcyclists who escorted Karpal's hearse all the way from town to the Batu Gantung crematorium.
He said it was a meaningful gesture to Karpal, as it showed the affection of ordinary Malaysians to the well-respected leader who always fought for justice for the people.
Lim also called on the people to remember Karpal by moving forward to ensure that no one can “steal our children’s future”.
"This public funeral is probably the largest in Penang’s history because the people of Penang and Malaysia made it so.
"Your presence yesterday has shown that there is a “tiger” like Karpal lurking in each and every one of us.
"Let us fearlessly follow Karpal in fighting for justice and the rule of law. Let us show the same courage as Karpal did in doing things the right way," he said.
Karpal, 73, who was also DAP national chairman from 2004 until last month, died in an accident on the North-South Expressway near Kampar, Perak last Thursday. His aide Michael Cornelius was also killed while his son Ramkarpal, his Indonesian maid and the driver survived.
Karpal, who is considered to be one of the finest lawyers and politicians in the country, is survived by his wife Gurmit Kaur, five children and 11 grandchildren. – April 21, 2014.
