THE posthumous state award bestowed on former DAP chairman Karpal Singh is an ultimate recognition of his sacrifices for the country, said his wife Gurmit Kaur.
“It is a long deserved recognition and I am very proud to receive this on his behalf.
“At the end of all this, it is indeed an honour bestowed upon him, which is long overdue, ” she said.
Gurmit told reporters after receiving the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN) award which carries the title Datuk Seri Utama from the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas in conjunction with his 82nd birthday celebration at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Penang yesterday.
Karpal Singh was a prominent lawyer who earned the moniker ‘Tiger of Jelutong’, having served as Jelutong MP for 21 years.
He was also the Bukit Gelugor MP for 10 years and was a prominent advocate for human rights.
Karpal died in April 2014 in a car accident. He was 74.
His son Jagdeep Singh, who is also a state exco member, said it was a “tearful” posthumous award bestowed on his father.
“I am in tears, as Karpal Singh was an institution and the award today was a recognition by all Penangites.
“This award clearly shows that the government recognised the difficult times he underwent and his sacrifices to uphold justice for the people.
“This award is a testimony that he is finally respected and honoured for his service to the nation, ” he said.
A total of 113 people will receive five state awards - Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri (DUPN), Darjah Panglima Pangkuan Negeri (DPPN), Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negeri (DMPN) and Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) - from Abdul Rahman over a two-day ceremony which will end today.
The DUPN carries the title Datuk Seri Utama, DPPN and DGPN carry the title Datuk Seri, and DMPN and DSPN carry the title Datuk.
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