"Don't play with the constitution of our nation." Those were among the last words uttered by the late Karpal Singh in Parliament before he died in the pre-dawn hours of Thursday. Parliamentary opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the de facto head of PKR, recounted this during the "Reformasi 2.0" rally held at the Seberang Jaya expo site on the night of Thursday, April 17, 2014, after Karpal's passing away. The event, which had been planned much earlier, was transmuted into a powerful tribute for Karpal -- the DAP and opposition icon, and esteemed legal practitioner. In particular, Anwar spoke movingly about how Karpal had worked selflessly to help him when he was incarcerated, and to defend him against the charges that had been heaped on him. Respected by friends and foes Several other Pakatan Rakyat leaders also paid homage to Karpal, who passed away at the age of 74. "Today we received shocking news of the tragic accident involving Yang Berhormat Karpal Singh," began PKR communications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who is also Selangor deputy speaker. "As a champion of justice, he was very well-known and respected by friend and foes alike in a lengthy career in politics." Penang PKR youth chief Dr Afif Bahardin, who is also a state executive councillor, described the demise of Karpal as a tremendous loss for the Pakatan Rakyat. He also spoke about how he had rushed to the Ipoh Hospital where Karpal had been brought following the fatal accident near Gua Tempurung in the pre-dawn hours of Thursday, in order to accompany Karpal's family as a show our support and backing and to share the sorrow that was felt. Fought Umno-BN when such a thing not glamorous Penang PKR chief Datuk Mansor Othman, who is MP for Nibong Tebal, said: "We feel the loss because of his struggle -- a man who truly battled to uphold justice, the rights of the people, without any consideration for race, to fight brutality -- and his departure is a loss that is very huge, not just for our state of Penang, but for the whole country." Rafizi Ramli, PKR strategy director and Pandan MP said Karpal was "a leader and a man who never got tired in the fight against Umno-Barisan Nasional when it was not glamorous to go against Umno-Barisan Nasional". Mohamad Sabu, PAS deputy president and the party's Penang Commissioner, said: "For me, Karpal Singh was a lawyer for all lawyers, and a lawyer for the people at large." He said Karpal was never a hypocrite and was committed towards a democratic struggle. "Today we have lost a man who was outspoken. Yes, we had differences in opinion on issues like Hudud and so on. He saw from the vantage point of the Constitution. We (PAS leadership) have our contentions, and he respected them, my friends. Although our arguments differed, he upheld the viewpoint of the Constitution." Mohamad also noted the homage paid PAS spiritual advisor Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who had said the nation has lost a patriot with principles. Poignant tribute by Anwar The most poignant tribute was by Anwar, whose speech was the climax of the event. Anwar said he related to Karpal not just as though he were his lawyer, but as a family member. "For six years when I was imprisoned, every two weeks, every month, he would come. He never broke off," Anwar remembered. "We collected donations to pay him (for his legal help). He rejected... "When my younger brother Rosli went to pay him from what friends had collected -- a large amount -- he snarled at Rosli, and told him to get out of the room." "He told me: 'Anwar you better tell your family members, not to disturb me.'" Anwar stressed that he valued Karpal who had helped him so deeply for many years. "I know he has responsibilities, many staff, that he needs to pay other lawyers, and the rental in Kuala Lumpur is expensive." "But that's it. He answered and said: 'You, Anwar, sacrificed yourself, went to jail, got beaten until you were half-dead. It's not as if I don't have a heart, that I would take money from you.'" "'You tell your family,'" Anwar further recounted Karpal saying, "'that as you are willing to sacrifice for the people, I am only making a small contribution to defend your fate.'" "The departure of Karpal is a deep personal loss to me, Azizah and the family," Anwar also remembered a last speech made by Karpal in Parliament. "'Don't play with the Constitution of our nation...' That was his last pronouncement," Anwar said. "It was a warning to Umno and BN: don't you besmirch the Constitution." Malaysia news: general, political, analysis, national and international free news site; Business, Lifestyle,Sports,Opinion,Features,Tech,Multimedia,Nation,World.

• published: 17 Apr 2014
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