KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 ― The death of the DAP giant Karpal Singh did not leave a vacuum as many contend as his “cubs” are carrying on his ferocious political legacy, MIC’s Datuk Seri Vell Paari said in homage today.
The son of former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who called Karpal both friend and rival, said that while Malaysians were still reeling from the loss of the “Tiger of Jelutong” exactly a year ago today, the country can rejoice in knowing that Karpal's “roar” will continue to reverberate through his children.
“Though many believe that he has left behind a vacuum, I disagree. The tiger may be no more, but its cubs have now grown into ferocious tigers themselves,” Vell Paari said in a statement.
The MIC leader added that while he and Karpal's children are opponents in politics, he still recognised in them the same characteristics that earned their father such respect.
“Gobind (Singh Deo) and myself are on opposite sides of the political divide, but credit must be given where it is due. He is a chip of the old block and through him and his siblings, Karpal’s roar will continue to reverberate through this nation”.
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, in the early hours of April 17, 2014.
Long-time aide Michael Cornelius was also killed while their driver is seriously injured. Karpal’s son, Ramkarpal Singh, sustained injuries.
Leaders from both sides of the political divide have described Karpal's passing as a great loss to the nation.
His sons, Gobind and Ramkarpal, are both DAP federal lawmakers and lawyers by training and are known to be fierce defenders of human rights.
Gobind is MP for Puchong while Ramkarpal contested Karpal's seat and became MP for Batu Gelugor after a by-election was called following his father’s death.
