IPOH, 17 APR: Former DAP National Chairman Karpal Singh passed away in a road accident in the North South highway at KM301.6 near Gopeng, Perak at 1.30am earlier this morning.
Police confirm that the Toyota Alphard that the Bukit Gelugor MP was travelling in collided with a lorry that was changing lanes without signalling. Karpal died on the spot as did his long-time aide Michael Cornelius. Also travelling in the same vehicle were Karpal’s son, Ram Karpal, and the driver who were both injured.
Karpal, who would have turned 74 this June, was known as “The Tiger of Jelutong” for his unflinching stand and uncompromising principles which he defended in Parliament or as a lawyer.
On 29 March Karpal was forced to resign as DAP National Chairman when he was convicted under the Sedition Act and fined RM4,000 for remarks he made during the Perak Constitutional Crisis.
Karpal leaves behind his widow, Gurmit Kaur and five children including Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and Datuk Keramat State Assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
Karpal was born in George Town, Penang on 28 June 1940 and received his early education in St Xavier’s Institution, going on to read law in the National University of Singapore. He was called to the Bar in 1969 and joined DAP the following year, soon becoming one of the most prominent and recognisable figures in the party.
In 1978 Karpal won the Jelutong Parliamentary seat, which he held until 1999. He had previously been detained under the Internal Security Act and Ops Lalang in October 1987. Over the course of his almost four-decade-long law career, Karpal appeared in many high profile cases, including defending opposition lawyer Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Malaysia has lost an illustrious statesman whose life was dedicated to public service and the pursuit of justice. The Rocket salutes the Tiger of Jelutong and we convey our deepest condolences to his family. -The Rocket
Our sincere and deepest condolences are expressed at this sudden and shocking news. The nation mourns the loss of such a prominent and influential personality who has contributed so much to true nation building teaching us to never go down without a fight. Our sympathies to the family and even to the larger family of the Opposition Front! We will never give up the fight for true justice and equality among all Malaysians.
Rest in peace!
Rest in Peace Sir. Your legacy will live on with us.
Condolence to the family.
May his soul rest in peace. He’s respected by many Malaysians for his role in the court of law and in politics. I hope the Penang State Govt or the Federal Govt would honour Karpal Singh by posthumously bestowing on him a Datukship or a Tan Sri-ship for his services to the people and country. He certainly deserved it.
Farewell the Tiger of Jelutong…
Yeah, a true statesman and a national hero.. DAP is so blessed to have him as the frontrunner and director of their political exploit. Hopefully, with his passing many more of his stature will rise up to fight for justice for this country. Sad he did not live to see that true justice returned to this beloved country of ours. RIP, Karpal my friend!
You fought the good fight, YB Karpal.
Will always be proud of you being our MP in Bukit Gelugor.
Rest in peace my YB.
I really do not know what to say because I am very sad. This man, his courage, principles and fight for justice has inspired me since my childhood. I was and still is in a state of shock. We want such man to live forever… a man who stood tall among men.. however the Almighty has taken him…nonetheless he shall never be forgotten. I just bought his biography ‘Tiger of Jelutong’ few days ago… it will be a treasure now. Put it this way… if democracy ever has a saint… this will be the man.
The nation is struck with the sudden demise. This hero has always shown his pursuit for justice, and even criticized his comrades without hesitation when he opined that something was going against the justice. Losing a wise and sensible man is a great loss to all. A voice is less being heard. Hopefully there are people who would take up his role as justice fighter and continue his life mission.
Condolences to the family to the late tiger. I hope he is now in a place wer the cat purrs.
Condolences to the family.Everyone in the nation lost the respected brave and courage leader that no one can replace as years to come.It is the biggest lost to malaysian law association
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