Samy Vellu cries for Karpal, hugs Guan Eng

As former works minister S Samy Vellu entered Karpal Singh’s home to pay his last respects today, he was met by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Even though the duo were from different political alliances, Samy Vellu (right) reached out and hugged Lim, as he expressed his condolences.

Samy’s face clearly showed his pain, as he later said, “We were in Parliament together.”

“Karpal always raised issues for the benefit of the people,” added the former MIC president.

“I could do nothing but cry when I learned about Karpal’s death,” he said.

Samy and Karpal used to argue in Parliament during debates, but he describes the lawyer as a leader, a trusted person who does work to perfection.

It was Samy Vellu who first referred to Karpal as a tiger, calling the lawyer-turned-politician a “tiger of the court” while dubbing himself a “lion”.

In response, Karpal had said that Samy Vellu could be the lion and he the tiger, but then was quick to point out that there were no lions in Malaysia.

Samy said the 74-year-old Karpal worked like a young man.

“In Parliament, he asked for information from my ministry and sometimes, he wanted more details. I would give it to him.”

Gerakan deputy president Dr Cheah Soon Hai came to Karpal’s house with a team of party leaders including state chief Teng Chang Yeow (right in photo) and state secretary Oh Tong Keong.

Cheah knew of Karpal when he was a teenager in 1974, when the latter campaigned for a state seat in Bandar Alor Setar and won.

“Even then when we saw him, we knew he was someone special. He outshone most of his peers then, and leaves behind a great strategy not only in politics but law,” Cheah, the former Derga assemblyperson, said.
‘We can still have coffee in Parliament’

Later, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim appeared.

They met in 1986 in Parliament when both were MPs - Shahidan in Arau and Karpal in Jelutong.

“Despite our differences,  we can still have coffee in Parliament. He is a friend,” he said.

“We can be different but we can be together. This is an example of unity and respect for others,” he added.

“We hope this kind of politics continues. Karpal always come across as someone open-minded,” he stressed.
Others who visited Karpal’s home today included famous Penang tycoon Tan Kok Ping and Real Estate and Development Housing Association chairperson Jerry Chan.

Organisations which came by included Aliran, Consumers Association of Penang and Little Sisters of the Poor.

Ling: Karpal was my friend

Former MCA president Ling Liong Sik came towards the evening, and was greeted by Guan Eng and Gelang Patah MP Kit Siang.

Ling expressed sadness at Karpal’s death, claiming that the veteran lawyer was his friend.

"He was a cheeky student. In 1961, we were members of the students union at the University of Malaya, in Singapore," Ling told reporters.

"He was not a top student during exams. It goes to show you don’t need to be best student to become the best lawyer," he added.

"I advice parents not to worry and push your children too much in their studies.

Asked about Karpal’s criticisms about BN or the MCA, Ling said he was never personal.

"Have you heard about Karpal scolding me or me scolding Karpal? Me scolding DAP?" he quipped.

Other BN leaders who came after Ling were Health Minister and MIC deputy chief S Subramaniam, the party’s state youth chief J Dhinagaran and state MCA chairperson and national vice-president Chew Mei Fun.





Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/260449