Karpal Singh given a hero’s send-off

Karpal

Singh – one of Malaysia’s most prominent lawyers and politicians – was given a send-off befitting a national icon as he crusaded for justice and the rule of law throughout his 45-year illustrious career.

Thousands of Malaysians from all races, creeds and cultures paid their last respects to Karpal, also known as the Tiger of Jelutong, at a state-honoured funeral at the Dewan Sri Pinang in George Town, Penang, before the widely-respected lawyer and politician’s remains were cremated at the Bukit Gantung crematorium.

Crowds lined the streets and chanted "Karpal Singh! Karpal Singh!" as the funeral cortege left Dewan Sri Pinang, accompanied by the St Xavier's Institution band playing “When The Saints Go Marching In”.

The funeral procession made four "significant stops" – at the Penang High Court complex, where Karpal had practised law; the Penang State Legislative Assembly Hall, where he began his political career; his law firm at Green Hall; and the St Xavier's Institution, his alma mater – on its way to the crematorium.

Earlier, Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang Tun Datuk Seri Utama Abdul Rahman Abbas and his wife joined thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life at Dewan Sri Pinang to pay their last respects to Karpal.

At 11.20am, the Penang state exco and assemblymen led by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng bowed three times to Karpal.

They were followed by the DAP central executive committee (CEC) members, Pakatan Rakyat top leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Mohamed Sabu, other politicians from various political parties, lawyers, the Penang Chinese Town Hall, Aliran, the Penang Island and Seberang Prai municipal councils and various organisations.

At 11.40am, Karpal's family and the Sikh community conducted prayers for him.

Ten minutes later, his sons and others close to him carried his casket out for the funeral procession.

The procession also involved bike riders bearing DAP flags, volunteer fire fighters and thousands of others.

The roadsides were flooded by tens of thousands of mourners trying to catch a glimpse of the hearse.

A multiracial crowd from all walks of life were also present at the funeral, with many seen offering prayers and touching the casket which had been draped with the Penang flag.

Mourners, from the young to the elderly, dressed mostly in black and white sported a small sticker of Karpal pasted at the top part of their attire for the solemn affair.

Hayashi Choong, 45, from Petaling Jaya, Selangor, told of making the journey up north just to pay respects to the veteran politician and prominent laywer:

“I made the journey up north from my home in Petaling Jaya to pay my respects to someone whom I admire enormously.

“Although Karpal was handicapped, it never deterred him from achieving what he had set out to do.

“Malaysians can learn from Karpal because he is an excellent role model. Karpal has put in a lot of effort for Malaysians and was never dispirited. For this, I wanted to thank him myself. “

Mourners also rushed for free posters of Karpal that were being distributed outside Dewan Sri Pinang.

Karpal's widow Gurmit Kaur, his four sons, Kit Siang, and Guan Eng were seen thanking mourners as they walk around the coffin.

Karpal's casket arrived at 8.10am, ahead of schedule as reporters were informed to be at the scene only by 8.30am.

His journey from his home to the hall was accompanied by more than 100 motorcycles, including superbikes, and a long entourage of cars.

Karpal's casket was placed in the middle of the lobby of the hall as his family and DAP dignitaries and members surrounded him for his final public event.

The press gathered on the steps and the corridor of the upper floor to document the event, which many will remember for a long time.

There was also a huge crowd today at Karpal Singh's Jalan Utama home in Penang this morning as the hearse left for the Dewan Sri Pinang.

Several DAP members had earlier helped place flowers and a picture of Karpal on the hearse. Prayers were also held by family members since 4.30am.

Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who is overseeing the state funeral arrangements for Karpal, had said about 2,000 to 3,000 people were expected to pay their respects to the late lawyer and Bukit Gelugor member of parliament at Dewan Sri Pinang this morning.

Karpal, 73, died in an accident at 1.10am on Thursday when the multipurpose vehicle he was travelling in collided with a lorry near Gua Tempurung in Perak on the North-South Expressway.

His personal assistant Michael Cornelius, 39, also died in the accident.

The entire event is being streamed live at DAP's Ubah TV. – April 20, 2014.