Goodbye Tiger
hildren in their arms milled around the coffin and told them of the great deeds of Karpal, was the voice of the voiceless and a mighty help for the helpless.
In his parting words, a visibly-shaken Lim said: “LStory by Chan Lilian, Pix by Mark James
SHOUTS of “Karpal! Karpal! Karpal!” filled the air as people shouted and punched their fists.
Many were holding back the tears, their faces contorted in pain.
A large crowd lurched forward to get nearer to the funeral procession.
A few frail women determinedly pushed their way to touch the hearse carrying the Tiger of Jelutong on his way from Dewan Sri Pinang where the funeral with state honours was held to the Batu Gantong Crematorium.
Such scenes can only be seen in movies when the common man hails a great hero.
However, that is the height of respect people had for Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh at his funeral on April 20.
Karpal dies in a car crash in the early hours of April 17 on the North-South Expressway near Kampar.
Twenty five thousand people from all over the world and especially Penang lined up for hours under the hot sun to pay their last respects.
They lined up along the streets in George Town to say their last goodbye. In a press statement on the following day, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng described the mammoth turn out, mostly from the working class as follows: “It would be most meaningful to Karpal as it showed the affection for Karpal that ordinary Malaysians held in their hearts.”
Praises and accolades piled in for the veteran lawyer-politician.
Dignitaries and VVIPs streamed in daily during the funeral wake at his house.
However, when tears were shed from people who were on the opposing side, it showed the depth of loss they felt.
Former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who was in tears, said of Karpal: “We have lost a good MP and leader to help lead the country. I was shocked when I heard the news. He is just 74 years old but worked like a young man, day and night, all with the people’s interests and progress in mind.”
Meanwhile Penang Opposition Leader, veteran politician and lawyer Datuk Jaharah Yahya said of Karpal: “As a legal practitioner, I look upon him as very ethical and consistent with his principles. His principles should be emulated by all other politicians. As a politician, he never became personal. He is always above it. That why he is very well respected.”
Another UMNO assemblymember for Telok Bahang, Datuk Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah, said: “I had heard about Karpal even as a school boy. I see that he is a man of principles and when he believes in something, he cannot be challenged. People can rely on him, can believe in him and whatever perceptions people have of him, the country has lost a great leader.”
It is estimated that 50,000 had either visited Karpal at his home during the period when his body reached his home on April 18 until his funeral.
It was truly a scene of the culmination of mankind’s love for the great man. A man with one leg endured hours of queuing up to get a glimpse.
Several men and women flung themselves by the coffin in Karpal’s home to show their respect.
Stoic and strong men broke down into sobs when they hugged Karpal’s sons. Parents carrying their young cet us mourn for Karpal but at the same time, respect and honour all his achievements. We must also realise his aspirations for justice, integrity and freedom. Thank you, Karpal. May you rest in peace!”
Penang State Government accorded a state honour funeral for Member of Parliament for Bukit Gelugor, Karpal Singh.