DAP veteran leader Karpal Singh was killed in a car crash early this morning near the dangerous Gua Tempurung stretch.
Also killed in the accident was Karpal’s assistant C. Michael, while his son, Ram Singh and an Indonesian maid were seriously injured. The four were travelling in a Toyota Alphard when the vehicle rammed into the side of a lorry.
The 74-year-old Bukit Gelugor MP was travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang to attend a court hearing later in the morning when the accident occurred.
Karpal, who read law at the University of Singapore started his law practice before becoming a DAP politician in 1978. When he entered parliament as the MP of Jelutong, he was nicknamed “the Tiger of Jelutong”.
Needless to say, Karpal was considered a controversial figure in both courtrooms and parliament. He has been suspended from parliament numerous times, charged for sedition, and has been detained under Malaysia’s internal security laws.
In 2005, a car accident rendered him paralysed and wheelchair-bound but this did not prevent him from continuing his legal and political careers.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as well as several other politicians have conveyed their shock and condolences via Twitter.
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
– Malaysian PM Mohd Najib Tun Razak @NajibRazak
We’ve lost a colleague; an indefatigable fighter for justice; d legendary Karpal Singh! Our sincere condolences to d family. RIP.
– Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim @anwaribrahim