Karpal gets Public Service Award from Ghandi Memorial Trust (Updated)

The Sun
by Lee Choon Fai

KUALA LUMPUR: The late Karpal Singh (pix) has been posthumously awarded the Public Service Award by the Ghandi Memorial Trust (GMT) for his contributions to the country.

GMT chairman S. Radhakrishnan said Karpal had contributed much to the nation in politics, the judiciary, and social activism for the past 40 years before his untimely demise on April 17.

"His commitment to these principles did not waver despite an accident in 2005 that left him wheelchair-bound," he said during his opening speech.

The award came with a chrome pewter tiger, representing the moniker "Tiger of Jelutong", which was presented to his family who attended the ceremony.

Former Minister Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim said in his speech that Karpal was a fearless lawyer and human rights defender who had contributed much to Malaysian parliamentary democracy.

"His greatest contribution as MP was his push for good governance, and for the government to be responsible to Parliament; he was also suspended many times due to his outspokenness," said Zaid.

Zaid said Karpal often paid a heavy price when doing what he thought was right and that he (Zaid) himself was not spared from Karpal's sharp-tongue during his short stint in the government.

He also commented on Karpal's conviction under the Sedition Act before his passing, saying "nobody who had contributed so much to Parliament and the public should be labelled seditious".

Former Bar Council president Datuk S. Ambiga said Karpal would be sorely missed, especially now when extremist voices are getting increasingly intolerable.

"This is where we miss Karpal as a statesman, extremism is getting out of control; there is a culture of 'might is right' that needs changing and Karpal will definitely speak up about it," she said.

She also said Karpal was never anti-Islam as alleged by his critics even though he opposed the implementation of hudud law and the claims that Malaysia is an Islamic state.

Ambiga said he was a staunch defender of the Federal Constitution, a voice for the voiceless, a warrior for the people, and a principled man above all.

Retired Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mahadev Shanker said Karpal is the embodiment of Mahatma Gandhi's life principles of "plain-living but lofty in thought".

However, he pointed out that Karpal's voice was a loud roar, a call of redemption and the observance of the rule of law, that he was personally subjected to as compared to Gandhi's gentle and soft-spoken voice.

Veteran lawyer Datuk Jagjit Singh fondly recalled his years as a law student in the University of Singapore, where he met Karpal as a young student activist.

Jagjit said even then, the hallmarks and values of leadership was apparent in Karpal, and his excellent memory coupled with straight to the point arguments made him a formidable lawyer.

Karpal's daughter Sangeet Kaur also gave a short but emotional speech, saying her late father was a giant in life whose shoulders she stood upon for support.

Also present at the event were DAP national advisor Lim Kit Siang, Bar Council president Christopher Leong, lawyer and social activist Haris Ibrahim, and Bar Council Human Rights Committee chairman Andrew Khoo.