LESSON FOR UMNO: You can bully, sideline, humiliate but Karpal, PR are still OUR HEROES

In death, Malaysia's fearless opposition politician and lawyer, Karpal Singh, has become a legend. The outpouring of grief and tributes to him is astounding and continues to flow from all corners of the world especially in his home state of Penang.

The idyllic island has been cast in gloom ever since the tragic death of Karpal Singh in a car accident on the North-South Expressway was announced to the general public. Many Malaysians are trying hard to get over the shock and suddenness of his demise.

Though Karpal and his family are no newcomers to tragedy, the family and relatives and friends are finding this hard to get over. The fiercely outspoken critic of the government has passed away at a critical juncture, when his astute leadership is most in need by DAP and Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

In a long history and career as a lawyer and politician, Karpal Singh has emerged as an unsung hero and fighter for justice, fair play and meritocracy. He was even detained for a spell under the Draconian Internal Security Act only to emerge stronger in his convictions and ideals, the principles of which he was firmly committed.

In his biography, the "Tiger of Jelutong" as he is known affectionately to people, it is described in detail the type of man he is and his personality and character, the type of attributes he possesses that has got him so far in the public arena.

Karpal Singh is a stoic opponent of the death penalty and other archaic and obsolete laws and fought hard in the years he was in politics and the legal service to try to elevate the cause of justice, freedom and civil liberties.

He worked tirelessly and was indefatigable in his ways, not wasting time, effort and resources but going down to the ground with the rakyat to help them endure the hard, harsh realities of life in Malaysia that had become increasingly miserable being administered by various Barisan Nasional (BN) regimes.

The passing away of Karpal at this stage of the state of the nation is to be most pitied as the opposition coalition of PR have bent over backwards to gain much ground and a stronghold of their share of political power and should in the coming general election expectantly sweep to full power and control of the nation.

Karpal, along with his comrades in DAP and PR have struggled long and hard to tame obstinate BN governments and to act as a check-and-balance owing to the widespread use of corruption and cronyism by BN.

Other heroes and heroines in the Pakatan fold

But Karpal was not alone in his struggle. He had with him able comrade-in-arms who fought alongside him and who formed a pact based on trust and honour and in the process have also emerged as hero's and heroine's.

Following closely in his ways and footsteps is his son, Gobind Singh Deo, another unsung hero like his father who commands much respect and is greatly admired within the legal fraternity and by Malaysians clamouring for a change of government.

The obvious tutoring of the son by the father shows up well,and Gobind, like his father, has a strong sense of justice, fair play and meritocracy. The son sharing much of the father's values and ideals and focus in law and politics.

The other father-son combination within Pakatan that has blossomed and cause many Malaysians to admire is between ageing DAP stalwart, Lim Kit Siang and his son, the chief minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng.

Both father and son have been victims of their fight to liberate Malaysia from the oppression and tyranny of BN government's of the past and present.

Kit Siang was detained under the ISA and Guan Eng, when he was Member of Parliament of Kota Melaka, was incarcerated for coming to the defence of an under age girl in a case that took Malaysia by storm.

Both Kit Siang and Guan Eng have paid a heavy price for political success and the fact that they are unyielding to become oppressive and tyrannical, though they have amassed much political clout, goes to show their great moral character as opposed to BN politicians.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, long a thorn in the flesh to the BN government and a victim often of the miscarriage of justice in this country and his steadfast daughter Nurul Izzah have become the political doyens of Malaysians who are hopeful they will reach the summit of power in this country.

Having suffered a black eye by a former Inspector-General of Police and having been convicted of sodomy in the past and present, all of which the majority of Malaysians find hard to believe and think more of it as trumped up charges to halt his progress as he is perceived to be a deadly threat to BN.

Mention must also be made of Kelantan's chief minister, Nik Aziz, who despite his advancing age, has earned a large fan base among the Malay grass roots and especially in his home state.

Tribute must also go to the late Irene Fernandez, who through the NGO of Tenaganita has protected and taken care of the rights of migrant workers and have prevented them from being exploited by unscrupulous employers in this country.

The PKR leader has shown steely grit and determination though she was accused of publishing false news and has fought to the very end of her life for truth and honesty, and if only her life could have been prolonged, Malaysians would have been able to witness how much she could have accomplished with safeguarding the Malaysian and foreign workforce.

Pakatan heroes and heroines outshine BN leaders

In a world where change is the only constant, it is really heartening to see the unwavering stand of Pakatan leaders who show consistent humility, hard work and industry and who put the needs of the rakyat above their own.

Though the odds are stacked against Pakatan, Malaysians respect and admire much people like Karpal, Gobind, Kit Siang, Guan Eng, Anwar, Nurul and the many other Pakatan hero's and heroine's who have been shining models of leadership in this country.

These are people to whom we gladly pay tribute for their honourable ways that are truly in keeping with the BN adage of "leadership through example."

While for BN this slogan is merely to chant and show off, for Pakatan Rakyat leaders they have demonstrated that they truly practice what they preach and this offers hope and encouragement to Malaysians who wait for them to come to full power and control of government that the civil liberties of the rakyat will also be restored in full.

In comparing BN leaders with PR leaders, the BN leadership pale in comparison and are perceived to be heavily corrupt and high handed compared to PR leaders who are accommodating and approachable.

This is why the pendulum is beginning to swing now in the direction of PR and as the future of Malaysia begins to unfold more and more Malaysians are leaning more towards PR to take over the helm of government.

This is why the hero's and heroine's of Pakatan are set to form the next government of the country as all the indicators point to them being the leaders of the future of this country. - Malaysia Chronicle