Thousands gather to pay last respects to Karpal
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng puts on the state's flag on the coffin of the late Karpal Singh, former chairman of the Democratic Action Party (DAP) as it arrives at the Dewan Sri Pinang in Penang today. – The Malaysian Insider by Najjua Zulkefli, April 20, 2014.
Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang Tun Datuk Seri Utama Abdul Rahman Abbas and his wife joined thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life at Dewan Sri Pinang to pay their last respects to Karpal Singh today.
They were met by opposition leaders and Karpal's family.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng also delivered an eulogy on behalf of the state.
This was followed by respects being paid by the DAP central executive committee (CEC) members, Pakatan Rakyat's top leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Mohamed Sabu, politicians from various political parties, lawyers, the Penang Chinese Town Hall,human rights group Aliran, the Penang Island and Seberang Prai municipal councils and various organisations.
Guan Eng and his wife Betty Chew then offered a wreath to Karpal with strains of Amazing Grace playing in the background.
A multiracial crowd from all walks of life were present at the funeral, with many seen offering prayers and touching the casket which had been draped with the Penang flag.
Mourners, from the young to the elderly, dressed mostly in black and white sported a small sticker of Karpal pasted at the top part of their attire for the solemn affair.
Hayashi Choong, 45, from Petaling Jaya, Selangor, told of making the journey up north just to pay respects to the veteran politician and prominent laywer:
“I made the journey up north from my home in Petaling Jaya to pay my respects to someone whom I admire enormously.
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Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pays his last respects to the late Karpal Singh as DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang (right) looks on at the Dewan Sri Pinang, today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, April 20, 2014.“Although Karpal was handicapped, it never deterred him from achieving what he had set out to do.
“Malaysians can learn from Karpal because he is an excellent role model. Karpal has put in a lot of effort for Malaysians and was never dispirited. For this, I wanted to thank him myself. “
Mourners also rushed for free posters of Karpal that were being distributed outside Dewan Sri Pinang.
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A woman consoles Gurmit Kaur, the widow of late Karpal Singh, at Dewan Sri Pinang today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, April 20, 2014.Karpal's widow Gurmit Kaur, his four sons, Kit Siang, and Guan Eng were seen thanking mourners as they walk around the coffin.
Karpal's casket arrived at 8.10am, ahead of schedule as reporters were informed to be at the scene only by 8.30am.
His journey from his home to the hall was accompanied by more than 100 motorcycles, including superbikes, and a long entourage of cars.
Karpal's casket was placed in the middle of the lobby of the hall as his family and DAP dignitaries and members surrounded him for his final public event.
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Family of the late Karpal Singh surrounding the coffin of the late Karpal Singh during the state honoured funeral at Dewan Sri Pinang, today. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, April 20, 2014.The press gathered on the steps and the corridor of the upper floor to document the event, which many will remember for a long time.
There was also a huge crowd today at Karpal Singh's Jalan Utama home in Penang this morning as the hearse left for the Dewan Sri Pinang.
Several DAP members had earlier helped place flowers and a picture of Karpal on the hearse. Prayers were also held by family members since 4.30am.
The coffin of the late Karpal Singh pictured at the Sri Pinang Hall, in Penang, today. – The Malaysian Insider by Najjua Zulkefli, April 20, 2014.A procession will take place to honour the “Tiger of Jelutong”. The procession will make stops at places dear to Karpal – the Penang High Court, his office in Green Hall, the Penang state assembly building, his alma mater St Xavier’s Institution and state DAP party headquarters in Rangoon Road – before proceeding to the Batu Gantong crematorium.
Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who is overseeing the state funeral arrangements for Karpal, had said about 2,000 to 3,000 people were expected to pay their respects to the late lawyer and Bukit Gelugor member of parliament at Dewan Sri Pinang this morning.
Karpal, 73, died in an accident at 1.10am on Thursday when the multipurpose vehicle he was travelling in collided with a lorry near Gua Tempurung in Perak on the North-South Expressway.
His personal assistant Michael Cornelius, 39, also died in the accident.
The entire event is being streamed live at DAP's Ubah TV. – April 20, 2014.
Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/huge-crowd-gathers-as-karpal-leaves-home-for-the-last-time
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