Praise for former DAP strongman

PETALING JAYA: Former deputy prime minister Tun Ghafar Baba had crossed swords with opposition strongman V. David many times in Parliament, with their exchange of words often creating “sparks”. 

Yesterday, there was no longer any animosity, only words of praise from the former Barisan stalwart. 

Describing David as “outspoken”, Ghafar, 80, highlighted the ex-DAP leader’s fine attributes:  

“I liked him although he was an opposition MP; he was a good man. We need people like him.” 

FAREWELL: Former deputy prime minister Tun Ghafar Baba and family and friends of David (inset) paying their last respects in Kuala Lumpur Monday.

Ghafar was among hundreds of people who turned up at David’s house here to pay their last respects to the 72-year-old former DAP strongman and to extend their condolences to David’s wife, Grace Sivapakiam, 62, and to their only child, Norman Dharmendran, 22. 

The funeral service was held at St Mary’s Cathedral.  

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said David had entered politics when relatively young.  

“His death marks the end of an era, that of a great politician and unionist,” said Lim.  

David died at the Assunta Hospital on Sunday night after battling a stroke and other complications.  

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