GEORGE TOWN, April 22 ― Jagdeep Singh Deo today expressed his family’s gratitude for the massive turnout for his father, Karpal Singh’s funeral last week.
The state executive councillor told a press conference today that he was shocked at the response by the public during the funeral procession on Sunday.
“I think a lot of Penangites came to make the final journey for my father from Dewan Sri Pinang to Batu Gantung crematorium,” he said.
Jagdeep, who is also the Datuk Keramat state assemblyman, said despite the unprecedented crowd, they somehow managed it and the funeral went smoothly.
“My family and I would like to thank everyone, the volunteers and all who had helped for making sure the wake and funeral went smoothly,” he said.
He also thanked the state government for according Karpal a state honours funeral on Sunday.
Karpal, the late Bukit Gelugor MP, was killed on April 17 in a road accident near Gua Tempurung.
A three-day wake was held at his house along Jalan Utama here where thousands went to pay their last respect to the Tiger of Jelutong.
On Sunday, his casket was taken to the Dewan Sri Pinang to lie in state for the public to pay their last respects before the funeral procession to Batu Gantung.
The state honours funeral coordinator Chow Kon Yeow said about 50,000 people turned up for the three-day wake and the funeral on Sunday.
Jagdeep's mother, Gurmit Kaur, who is also present at the press conference, also conveyed her thanks repeatedly.
The family collected Karpal's ashes from the crematorium yesterday morning and it was strewn in the sea between Straits Quay and Green Hall.
“The sea was very calm yesterday when we perform the ceremony so everything went smoothly,” Jagdeep said.
Final prayer sessions for Karpal will be held at the Penang Gurdwara Temple from 7.30am on on Thursday until 12pm on Saturday.
