KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — The unexpected news of veteran DAP lawmaker Karpal Singh’s death in a car crash this morning led to an outpouring of tributes and sorrow from friends and foes alike in social media.
Among the earliest was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who offered his sympathies to the family of the late parliamentarian over their loss.
“I have just landed at Ankara when I heard the news that YB Karpal Singh died in a road accident. My condolences to the family,” Najib wrote on his Twitter page.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also took to the social media site to deliver an effusive homage to his ally in the Pakatan Rakyat pact.
“We’ve lost a colleague; an indefatigable fighter for justice; d legendary Karpal Singh! Our sincere condolences to d family. RIP. Anwar,” the PKR de facto leader wrote.
Other more sombre messages include that by PKR vice president in his message announcing the confirmation of Karpal’s fatal accident, in which he said he was left “sad and speechless” over the tragedy.
Malaysians also joined in the tribute, with the topics of “RIP Karpal Singh” and “Tiger of Jelutong” now trending in the conversations of local Twitter users.
Karpal was killed after the Toyota Alphard MPV he was travelling crashed following a collision with a lorry along the North-South Highway near Gopeng, Perak early this morning.
Long-time aide Michael Cornelius Selvam Vellu was also killed, while their driver is seriously injured. Karpal’s son, Ramkarpal Singh, sustained injuries.
Born in Penang on June 28, 1940, Karpal graduated with a law degree from the University of Singapore and joined the DAP in 1970.
He ran for Parliament in the 1978 general election and won the federal seat for Jelutong, which he held for five terms and which also earned him the moniker, “Tiger of Jelutong”.
Karpal leaves behind a wife, five children and four grandchildren.
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