The word legend is often lightly used. But Karpal Singh will go down in the annals of Malaysian political history as as one of the rare legends – a fighter of a politician and brilliant lawyer who championed the democratic rights of Malaysians and fought up the lost causes in the criminal justice system.
He and his personal assistant, Michael Cornelius Selvam Vellu, were killed in a road accident near Tapah this morning while his son Ram Karpal and the driver were injured.
Phone calls and text messages have been flying this morning and for many, the loss is personal, even if they had not known the man personally. It is an indicator of the impact the Tiger of Jelutong had on the nation that many feel a deep sense of loss.
The son of a watchman (and part-time herdsman), Karpal played a sterling role in watching over the constitutional rights of Malaysians. His clients ranged from Anwar Ibrahim to a 14-year-old boy sentenced to death for possession of firearms in a political explosive case.
His contribution to the cause of democracy in Malaysia defies description.
The sedition case he faced – one of the many obstacles strewn in his path – is now moot. He was detained under the draconian ISA from October 1987 to January 1989 even though he was briefly released in March 1988 following a habeas corpus application (only to be rearrested and detained).
Coming so soon after demise of Irene Fernandez and Bernard Khoo, the loss felt by many is magnified.
For far too long, we have left it to the likes of Karpal and Irene to speak up for the rights of the oppressed. Now it is time for us to step up to the plate and do our own bit to carry on their legacy. We owe it to them. -anilnetto
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