Gobind: I wish my father was here to celebrate Pakatan's victory

Gobind (fourth from left) cutting the cake to mark the Tatt Khalsa's 100th year anniversary celebration. With him are temple president Ranmit Singh Gill (third from left) and committee members.

KUALA LUMPUR: Gobind Singh Deo wishes his father Karpal Singh was around to savour Pakatan Harapan's victory in the May 9 polls.  

"My late father began his journey in politics a long time ago. He has of course built a legendary status for himself in this country.  

"I think all of us recognise and remember his contributions.  

"I think it is unfortunate. I miss him the most because I think he should be the one here really enjoying the moment with all of us," Gobind said during the launch of the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Tatt Khalsa Gurdwara, the biggest Sikh temple in South-East Asia here on Tuesday (May 29).  

The newly minted Communications and Multimedia Minister said that his father would have been very happy with Pakatan's achievement because of the hard work they put in as the Opposition for many years.  

"He taught me how important it is to carry on and never give up. That's exactly what we have done," said Gobind.  

He said that being the first Sikh minister in Malaysia was an achievement for the community.  

"It's historic for us and something to be proud of. We have worked very hard all these years," he said.  

The 45-year-old lawyer became the first Sikh federal minister in Asia outside India, and second globally, after Canada.  

He now joins the ranks of Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan and Indian Minister in charge of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri.  

Later, Gobind told The Star that his father, who died in 2014 following an automobile accident, always stressed the importance of defending the Constitution at all times if the Opposition ever became the Federal Government.  

"He spoke to us about the challenges that we need to face if we are in the Federal Government.  

"You must remember that having been on the other side and having been subject to certain policies and laws applied by the previous administration, we understand how it feels to be on the receiving end.  

"He always spoke on the need to defend the constitution at all times. An area of concern to him was that of human rights. That's why I always speak about media freedom. These are things we need to remember, " he said in a short interview.  

He added that his father would have reminded them that the hard work would start after their victory.  

Since being appointed to the Cabinet, Gobind has shut his law practice.  

He admitted that Pakatan's victory was unexpected but they had been prepared for it.  

"From now on, it's all systems go. We move ahead," he said.