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Karpal was my inspiration to study law
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It was 2.30am on a Thursday and I was sitting at the dining table in the kitchen. I have been staring at my laptop for almost 12 hours, tapping into the keyboard, writing another story.

My phone rang, the typical Android ringtone that reminds me of R2D2 from ‘Star Wars’. It was a Whatsapp text message from a group of close friends who never failed to crack me up every few hours with their antics. I was expecting another random joke.

‘Are you guys awake? Rumours flying, Karpal passed away’

My heart stopped. I was praying hard that it was a hoax.

I logged into Twitter, saw a tweet from Fahmi Fadzil, ‘Let it not be true’.

The hair on the nape of my neck stood up and goosebumps covered my body. Still hoping it was not true.

Fifteen minutes later, my phone made the familiar noise once more.

‘Confirmed’

I stared at my phone. Stunned. Shocked. Disbelief. The Tiger of Jelutong has left us. Our beloved chairperson was no longer with us. The great Karpal Singh has passed away.

Just last week I saw him leaving the Dewan Rakyat. Just last week I said ‘Hi’ to the sweet smiling Michael when we bumped into each other outside the Dewan. Just less than seven days ago.

Tears were rolling down my cheek. Flashback. I was fresh out of school, I was asked to write about why I wanted to read law. One of the reasons I wrote was, I wanted to be a fighter for justice, just like Karpal Singh.

I regret never telling him that. Of all the meetings, ceramahs, conventions we both attended and I never once went up to him and told him that he was my inspiration to read law. He was one of the reasons why I am who I am today. And I weep.

A man of great principle. A courageous fighter. A devoted lawyer. A dedicated statesman. An amazing person. Taken from us too soon.

I will definitely tell my children about the great fearless Tiger of Jelutong who bears an infectious smile, a truly Malaysian hero. He will never be forgotten.

Your spirit lives forever in our hearts, Sdr Karpal. Thank you for everything.

“Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on the snow,

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.”

- Mary Elizabeth Frye

Rest in Peace, the great Tiger of Jelutong. 1940-2014.


DYANA SOFYA MOHD DAUD is political secretary to YB Lim Kit Siang, MP for Gelang Patah.