A decade after death, tributes pour in for Karpal Singh’s roaring legacy

GEORGE TOWN: A tribute held to mark the 10th death anniversary of the Tiger of Jelutong described a man with a dry humour beneath his stern demeanor.

“He would crack us all up and we would all be laughing. But he would suddenly become serious again,” said DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo and son of the late Datuk Seri Karpal Singh.

Another son, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, recalled how someone once told Karpal that he had a third-class law degree.

“He then retorted, ‘I might be third class. But you’ve got no class’,” he said.

Karpal, who served as Jelutong MP for 21 years, died in a car accident in April 2014 at the age of 74.

The tribute forum yesterday was organised by Penang DAP to remember him for his contributions to law, reforms and politics.

Attendees told their personal stories of Karpal and shared anecdotes that showed the other side of Karpal.

Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who is also the Chief Minister, said Karpal would have put the interests of the country and party first, even if he had reservations about working with Umno.

“I believe he would have listened to the party’s deliberations and weighed the pros and cons of the decision,” he said.

Penang DAP deputy chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo spoke about his father’s commitment to justice and the country.

DAP veteran Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang also shared insights about his friendship with Karpal.