A TRIBUTE TO A TRUE MALAYSIAN - KARPAL SINGH (1940-2014)

I woke up yesterday morning, 17 April 2014, with a Whatsapp message from a friend, informing me of the passing away of Karpal Singh in an accident. It is difficult to describe the grief and the profound sadness that came over me. Throughout the day, there was this sense of regret, and wept that I never prayed for God's protection over this great man who was always relentless in his pursuit for justice and righteousness. I then prayed for those who are in the government who serve the people, especially Christians. 


It was only recently that I got to know this TIGER OF JELUTONG  (review) a little better....through the biography of Karpal Singh written by Tim Donoghue. To me he was a true Malaysia, and nothing seemed to be able to stop him from doing what he was good at...a great lawyer and politician. I don't need to repeat what others have written about him, but here are a few :
I believe that he has inspired many young Malaysians to fight the battles once fought by him, and we now see a generation of youth who dare to stand up for what is right, in the face of injustice. If there are more Karpal Singhs out there, Malaysia would be a better nation. He is a symbol of selflessness, bravery and loyalty to his party, his supporters and to every Malaysian citizen. 
From http://www.loyarburok.com/2014/04/17/karpal-singh-%E2%80%9Cthe-tiger-jelutong%E2%80%9D/

Anwar Ibrahim on his good friend, Karpal Singh :
“Indeed, words cannot express enough my profound sadness of the passing away of my brother-in-arms for freedom and democracy, an inspiring symbol for the struggle against oppression and injustice and a man of unimpeachable moral integrity,” Anwar said in a statement here.Describing Karpal as a “selfless, courageous and noble defender” of fundamental liberties, Anwar said with the latter’s death meant the legal fraternity has lost one of its sharpest minds.On his part, Anwar said he had lost a true friend.“Kind in words, noble in deed,” he wrote.He quoted from William Shakespeare to describe Karpal’s relentless pursuit of justice in his colourful career as a politician and lawyer, saying: “Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.”“And so it was with our hero Karpal Singh for there is none more valiant in life than this great mortal whose body may have perished but his spirit shall live on with us,” Anwar said.http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/anwar-karpal-singh-our-hero

Baru Bian from PKR Sarawak has this to say :
Indefatigable and relentless leaders such as Karpal Singh are few and far between. While we mourn his passing, I also offer a prayer of thanksgiving for his extraordinary life which was generously lived in the service of his people. I wish to express the gratitude of countless lawyers, political leaders and ordinary Malaysians for the inspiration that he was and will continue to be. It is said that when a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him lies on the paths of men. We are indebted to Karpal Singh for his immeasurable contribution to the unfolding democratisation of our country, and for his dogged efforts in paving the way for those left behind to carry on. The fight will go on but it will not be the same without Karpal Singh.
Karpal Singh's assistant, Michael Cornelius Selvam Vellu, 39, died together with him in the car accident. To leave his family to serve his 'boss' was a great sacrifice on his part. Piasau ADUN Alan Ling Sie Kiong recalls meeting Michael while chambering with Karpal’s legal firm in 2009. Click here for full article : Dutiful providerMichael became Karpal’s assistant in 2005 after the Bukit Gelugor MP was paralysed as a result of a car accident in that year.Hailing from Vellore, Tamil Nadu in southern India, he leaves behind a wife, a son and a daughter. His body will be flown back to India to be buried there.“He was often so busy that he once requested me to help him send money to his family in India. His only time of rest was travelling in the car with Karpal,” Alan related.A devout ChristianAccording to Alan, Michael came from a poor family and started serving with Karpal after meeting him while he was undergoing medical treatment in India.He was also a devout Christian and would often be seen carrying a bible with him.“Michael was often carrying a bible wherever he goes to. When I was married and after my victory in the Sarawak state election in 2011, he sent me some gifts and congratulatory cards with bible verses in it to inspire me.”I was so glad to know that Karpal Singh had such a wonderful servant of the Lord to serve him...and I am sure Michael must have shared many wonderful things of the Lord to Karpal!Karpal Singh, I may only have 'known' you from a distance, but reading about you, and seeing you fighting for justice for those who are oppressed, and many times powerless.....I want to say THANK YOU for loving this country of MALAYSIA, and you have shown your love for us MALAYSIANS through your sacrificial dedication to what you believe in. In my mind and heart, I hope you found the God of the Bible who is a God of justice and righteousness.
    NOBLE & ABLE DEFENDER OF THE DEFENSELESS                                  ...from a plaque given to Karpal Singh by a grateful client