By Lim Guan Eng, MP for Bagan and Secretary General of DAP

DAP National Leader, 8-term Member of Parliament and formerly 4-term state assembly man in Kedah and Penang, Sdr Karpal Singh will forever be remembered as a Malaysian patriot who stood valiantly for justice, integrity and freedom without fear or favour

Malaysians mourn the untimely and unexpected passing of DAP National Leader and Member of Parliament for Bukit Gelugor, Sdr Karpal Singh.

Sdr Karpal is a 8-term Member of Parliament of the Bukit Gelugor and Jelutong, as well as a 4 term state assemblyman in Kedah and Penang, first elected in 1974. For 40-years, Sdr Karpal dedicated his life to fighting for justice.

With his passing, the DAP has lost an upstanding and outstanding leader, the nation lost a brilliant legal mind and the rakyat a fearless “tiger” with an indomitable spirit who stood up for the poor, weak defenceless and dispossesed.

Sdr Karpal was detained without trial for 18 months in Operasi Lallang under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1988. I had the honour of spending my time in the same detention dormitory with him in Kamunting Detention Camp and he suffered from severe spinal back pains but refused to yield. Together with his close comrade, Sdr Lim Kit Siang, he faced down then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Karpal suffered an unfortunate accident in 2005 which paralysed him waist-down.

However his indomitable spirit not only helped him overcame this paralysis but allowed him to continue his cause for DAP for a better Malaysia. Sdr Karpal became the first disabled person to be elected twice to Parliament with huge majorities. Sdr Karpal has only just been convicted under the Sedition Act last month and is still in the midst of appealing his case. However, none of these incarceration and obstacles could make him yield in the struggle for a Malaysian Malaysia regardless of race and religion.

His departure will not only leave an immense void not only in his family’s lives, but also in those of all Malaysians whose lives have been inspired by his principled cause.To Sdr Karpal’s family, the DAP shares your grief in this time of bereavement with deepest sympathies and condolences.

In respect and honour of the memory of Sdr Karpal, the DAP shall postpone all party events and functions nationwide to a date after the funeral. All DAP offices shall also fly our flags at half-mast for a week to mourn for our great loss.

DAP shall establish a National Funeral Committee headed by DAP Acting National Chairman, Sdr Tan Kok Wai at the national level, while DAP Penang Chairman Sdr Chow Kon Yeow shall lead the Penang State Funeral Committee. Both Sdr Tan and Sdr Chow shall announce the members and the details of the funeral arrangements later consulting with family members.

The wake will be held at Sdr Karpal Singh’s home in 144A Jalan Utama, Penang from 3pm today. The funeral cortege will commence at 11am on Sunday 20 April to the Batu Gantong Crematorium in Penang.

*This article first appeared in limguaneng.com