JOHOR BAHRU, 30 APR: Almost two weeks after Karpal Singh’s tragic passing, over a thousand people gathered in Johor at a memorial to remember the late DAP National Chairman and elder statesman.

The memorial held in Bangunan PKK, Sutera Utama in Johor Bahru on Sunday was packed as many gathered to pay their respects to the late Bukit Gelugor MP.

In his speech, DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang hailed Karpal as a loyal friend and a fearless politician who did not allow himself to be intimidated by his political foes.

“I got to know Karpal when I was released from my first ISA detention. He joined the DAP and over the decades he never gave up fighting for the people,” Kit Siang recalled fondly about his comrade-at-arms for the past forty years.

Present at the memorial service were representatives from coalition partners PAS and PKR who shared their grief and words of encouragement to the family and supporters of the late Karpal.

Representing Karpal’s family was his second son, Gobind Singh Deo, also MP for Puchong. Gobind expressed the hope that with Karpal’s passing, hundreds more “Karpals” would rise and take up the challenge to continue his legacy.

“His fighting spirit will remain in our hearts as we continue the struggle together,” said Gobind.

DAP Johor Chairman Liew Chin Tong announced that after the Bukit Gelugor by-election, Johor DAP would continue to hold memorial services for the late Karpal Singh in various constituencies in the state, as a mark of respect for his contributions to the party and the nation.

The crowd were moved when National Laureate A. Samad Said recited his poem “Elegy for a Brave” (Eligi Seorang Pemberani).

The memorial also featured a soprano performance by soloist Ang Mei who sang “Nella Fantasia”. Ang was later joined by pianist Fam Qing Rui as they performed a duet titled “Hand in Hand”.

Members of the public who turned up placed flowers and signed a giant billboard that said “The fight goes on. You knock down one Karpal Singh, a hundred Karpal Singhs will rise!”.

They also took time to view a gallery with memorable photos of the late Karpal throughout his years in public life. At the entrance of the gallery was a classic motorbike similar to the famous one that Karpal used to ride.

On 17 April, Karpal and his personal assistant Michael Cornelius were killed in a car accident at KM301.6 at the North South Expressway. -The Rocket