Thousands pay last respect to Karpal Singh

As the Tiger of Jelutong finally rests, thousands pay tribute
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal April 20, 2014 UPDATED: April 20, 2014 12:03 pm

Crowd at Sri Pinang paying last respect to Karpal Singh

Pakatan Leaders who pay last respect to Karpal Singh include

Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and Mat Sabu

GEORGE TOWN, April 20 — In a send-off befitting of the man who championed against injustice, thousands thronged Dewan Seri Pinang here today to pay Karpal Singh their final respects before his cremation ceremony.

Accorded a funeral with state honours, the widely-respected lawyer and lawmaker’s remains travelled in a hearse flanked by police outriders and trailed by his family, friends and hundreds of supporters from his home in Jalan Utama, before arriving 8.12am at the town hall building, a stone’s throw from his legal firm in Green Hall and across the road from the Penang High Court. 

Soon after, a steady stream started trickling in to the lobby, where the late Bukit Gelugor MP lay in state in his glass-topped coffin. 

Cutting across the different races, creeds, ages and genders, well-wishers stood in queue — some impatiently — to say a final goodbye to the man they respected as a fearless warrior in pursuit of justice and the rule of law, and a beloved son of Penang.

In an atmosphere thick with emotion, rife with sadness and grief, Karpal’s children stood in a line patiently as they greeted each visitor who had come to say adieu.

An elderly woman broke down in tears upon viewing Karpal’s body and had to be assisted by security personnel out of the building.

Various personalities — from Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Malaysian pop singer Jaclyn Victor turned up today; almost everyone looked forlorn at losing the man who stood unwavering in his beliefs that all were equal in the court of law and whose magnanimity knew no bounds.

Anwar spent a good ten seconds looking over the body of his good friend, lawyer and advisor, before lowering his head and taking a seat next to DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang.

The scene right now is quite unlike any other; a true testament to the man  who once lived and served his constituents to the very fullest — whether in Jelutong for five terms or latterly in Bukit Gelugor..

Security personnel had to issue reminders to visitors to not push or jostle, as people outside grew restless; wanting to see their Tiger of Jelutong.

Karpal’s casket was half-open, adorned with the Penang state flag, the DAP flag as well as a piece of cloth with the picture of a tiger.

And the numbers are still increasing. People are still coming in, united in their grief, to say their goodbye to the great son of Penang.

Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/as-the-tiger-of-jelutong-finally-rests-thousands-pay-tribute