Here's a riveting and eye-opening report by Athi Shankar of Free Malaysia Today. The world has to know the truth. Please read and share as much as you can - the sad, tragic story of C Selvam, driver of the late Karpal Singh. Thank you, Datuk Huan, for saving him and for your kindness. Thank you, Athi and FMT for featuring this important report.
GEORGE TOWN: The former driver of the late Karpal Singh, C Selvam, 27, feels hollow, abandoned and betrayed by his employer’s family after being left to languish in Taiping prison for more than a month.
Although Selvam is out on bail, thanks to the timely intervention of Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Huan Cheng Guan, the Indian national has been struggling to pull himself together, crying and grieving in jail pending trial.
Selvam did not know anyone in Malaysia except his employer Karpal and his family and never thought for a moment he would be abandoned and left to rot in a “foreign” jail.
During his remand, he prayed daily for Karpal’s family to bail him out but help never came.
He recalled that not a single member of Karpal’s family visited him in Taiping prison.
No representatives from the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur visited Selvam, who is from Velore in Tamil Nadu, India.
Selvam claimed that his belongings, last left in Karpal’s home in Kuala Lumpur, were never returned to him.
When he was finally bailed out, Selvam was shocked to find out that he was saved by an unknown “Chinese Datuk.”
He is now grateful to Huan and the Datuk, whom he had never met before, for bailing him out.
Huan posted bail of RM5,000 last Monday and Selvam was released the next day.
“I was crying in jail every day, thinking of my family in India, my late boss and my friend Micheal Cornelius.
When I was told someone posted bail for me, I thought it was Karpal’s family.”
“I was shocked when I found out it was a Chinese Datuk. I felt betrayed, abandoned and hollow.
“When I met Huan at the courthouse in Kampar, I thanked him for taking me out of prison.
“He is like a god to me now,” said a relieved Selvam.
Huan bought new clothes for Selvam and a mobile phone for him to contact his parents and two younger siblings in India.
Selvam will be under Huan’s care pending his case in Kampar.
Huan has sought the help of Gerakan’s legal and human rights national bureau chairman Baljit Singh to provide legal aid for Selvam.
Selvam was charged with dangerous and reckless driving on July 9 under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of RM5,000 which he could not afford.
The charge carries a maximum jail term of 10 years or RM20,000 fine or both, upon conviction.
The case management is on Sept 5.
Selvam was driving Karpal’s Toyota Alphard when it collided with a lorry on the North-South Expressway near Kampar on April 17.
The accident killed Karpal, 74, and his aide Michael, 39, on the spot.
Karpal’s Indonesian maid Selfiana Rengga, 26, who was also in the vehicle was seriously injured but has since recovered.
Selvam and Karpal’s third son Ramkarpal Singh escaped with minor injuries.
After the accident, Selvam said he was sent on the same day by a DAP politician to stay with a relative of Karpal in Ipoh pending police investigation.
“The family took good care of me,” said Selvam, adding that he only saw Karpal’s daughter Sangeet Kaur twice during his stay there.
Selvam said he was dropped off at the Kampar police station by the relative’s driver on July 9.
Police took him to the court to be charged.
“I was left all alone, stranded and devastated not knowing why I was charged,” he said.
Selvam became Karpal’s employee on Sept 27 2013 to provide for his poor family in India.
“I told my parents that I would be working for a famous political and legal family,” he said.
Selvam said he was not supposed to drive Karpal back to Penang on that fateful day. However, when Karpal asked him why he was not ready, Selvam quickly got dressed and drove the vehicle.
At first, Selvam was hired to work as an assistant to Micheal for RM1,500 monthly to provide nursing care for Karpal.
“Micheal told me it would be advantageous if I had a driving licence,” he said.
However, Selvam claimed he was used as a driver, office boy and gardener, waking up before 6am and sleeping after midnight daily.
Selvam and Micheal stayed in Karpal’s home in Kuala Lumpur most of the time and travelled with the politician everywhere, including Penang, mostly during the wee hours.
Besides being a family driver, Selvam helped Micheal to care for Karpal, carry legal documents, as well as cleaning the garden and watering the plants.
He and Micheal were not provided any meals although they were provided accommodation in Karpal’s house.
“Sometimes we will eat out or cook on our own. At times we will pack food and eat at home. But all meals are our own,” said Selvam.
After a few months, Selvam felt stressed and burdened by the heavy workload.
He told Micheal in March that he wanted to resign and return to India where he had secured a job.
“Micheal said he will speak to the boss and arrange for my departure in May. But it did not happen,” he said.
Selvam said he was not supposed to drive Karpal back to Penang on that fateful day.
He said before departing from Kuala Lumpur on that day, he had been ferrying Karpal and several family members to various destinations.
After they returned home, he said Micheal had advised him to take a good rest and instead drive Karpal’s wife Gurmit Kaur to Penang the next day.
Micheal told Selvam that he would ask Ramkarpal to take the wheels instead.
However, when Karpal asked him why he was not ready, Selvam quickly got dressed and drove the vehicle.
Now, all Selvam wants is to go back to India.
Promoting Thinking Minds Via Rational Rationale
Showing posts with label Karpal Singh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Karpal Singh. Show all posts
Friday, 8 August 2014
Monday, 4 August 2014
PCM's Huan bails out Karpal's jailed driver
Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) vice-president Huan Cheng Guan today posted bail for C Selvam, the driver of the late former DAP chairperson Karpal Singh, who has spent almost a month in prison. Huan posted a RM5,000 bail for Selvam, who is being charged with reckless driving, at a magistrate's court in Kampar, Perak, this morning, says a Harian Metro Online report.
The report said Huan arrived in court at 9.30am and was escorted by police to a nearby bank to get a bank draft for RM5,000.
Selvam is expected to be released from Taiping Prison tomorrow morning.
Karpal Singh, who was Bukit Gelugor MP, was on April 17, killed in a road accident, along with his assistant Michael Cornelius.
Selvam was driving at that time.
Subsequently, Selvam was on July 9 charged with dangerous and reckless driving, resulting in the deaths.
He was allowed bail but went to prison as no one posted the required RM5,000.
DAP's political opponents have since jumped on this matter and accused Karpal's family of abandoning Selvam.
Both Gerakan and MIC had also offered to assist Selvam.
However, Karpal's son Ramkarpal Singh, who is a lawyer, said he could not defend Selvam as he was also in the vehicle during the crash and therefore would be a witness in the case.
As such, he said, representing Selvam would constitute a conflict of interest.
Malaysiakini
The report said Huan arrived in court at 9.30am and was escorted by police to a nearby bank to get a bank draft for RM5,000.
Selvam is expected to be released from Taiping Prison tomorrow morning.
Karpal Singh, who was Bukit Gelugor MP, was on April 17, killed in a road accident, along with his assistant Michael Cornelius.
Selvam was driving at that time.
Subsequently, Selvam was on July 9 charged with dangerous and reckless driving, resulting in the deaths.
He was allowed bail but went to prison as no one posted the required RM5,000.
DAP's political opponents have since jumped on this matter and accused Karpal's family of abandoning Selvam.
Both Gerakan and MIC had also offered to assist Selvam.
However, Karpal's son Ramkarpal Singh, who is a lawyer, said he could not defend Selvam as he was also in the vehicle during the crash and therefore would be a witness in the case.
As such, he said, representing Selvam would constitute a conflict of interest.
Malaysiakini
Monday, 12 May 2014
PCM denies being BN proxy in Bukit Gelugor by-election
GEORGE TOWN: Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) vice-president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan denied today that the party was a proxy for the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election.
"I'm contesting under the PCM ticket and am not a proxy for the BN," he told reporters after the close of nomination for the by-election at the Dewan Sri Pinang here.
"We will campaign from door to door even though our party machinery is small, with only a hundred people," he said, admitting that the party faced a tough fight.
He was commenting on Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's allegation earlier today that the BN had sent its proxy to contest the seat.
Huan, 53, will face Ramkarpal Singh, 38, of the DAP and independents Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohd Nabi Abdul Sathar, 63, and Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan, 46, in the four-way contest. Polling is on May 25.
The seat fell vacant following the death of the MP and Ramkarpal Singh's father, Karpal Singh of the DAP, in an accident on the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung in Kampar, Perak, on April 17. – Bernama
"I'm contesting under the PCM ticket and am not a proxy for the BN," he told reporters after the close of nomination for the by-election at the Dewan Sri Pinang here.
"We will campaign from door to door even though our party machinery is small, with only a hundred people," he said, admitting that the party faced a tough fight.
He was commenting on Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's allegation earlier today that the BN had sent its proxy to contest the seat.
Huan, 53, will face Ramkarpal Singh, 38, of the DAP and independents Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohd Nabi Abdul Sathar, 63, and Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan, 46, in the four-way contest. Polling is on May 25.
The seat fell vacant following the death of the MP and Ramkarpal Singh's father, Karpal Singh of the DAP, in an accident on the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung in Kampar, Perak, on April 17. – Bernama
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Selecting Ramkarpal will send the wrong signal
The DAP will waste a rare opportunity to leverage on the good vibes accruing the party from the hugely-attended obsequies for Karpal Singh Deo and the enduring fragrance of his stature if they choose a third scion of the Deo family to contest the parliamentary seat vacated by their lamented chairperson's untimely departure.
It's being bruited about that Ramkarpal, lawyer son of the father, will be fielded by DAP in the by-election for the Bukit Gelugor seat.
He will win hands down.
But DAP will lose the larger battle against the nepotism, cronyism and corruption that have warped Umno-BN's rule all these years and under whose weight the country is groaning.
Ramkarpal joined the DAP only last November, rather late for a 38-year old.
If chosen as the DAP candidate, his selection is owed to hereditary privilege, not individual merit.
Ironically, holding forth on hereditary privilege - its constitutionally circumscribed spheres - was what put the late Karpal in the legal cross hairs.
This is not to say that Karpal was in violation of the Sedition Act when he held forth the way he did in February 2009 in the Perak constitutional crisis that erupted at that time.
But he was speaking on the issue of a constitutional monarchy. Need it be said that a monarchy, constitutional or absolute, is all about inherited privilege.
Isn't it ironic, then, that Karpal's death should be the occasion for the embedding of hereditary privilege in a party whose social democratic ethos is averse to such practices and whose fight is for an egalitarian polity?
If Karpal had not died and was disqualified from holding his Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat by dint of his losing the apex court appeal against conviction under the Sedition Act, the fielding of another Deo family member in his stead would be the symbolically appropriate thing to do.
But not in the present instance.
Even with Karpal gone, there is no dearth of the Deo family in prominent positions in the DAP. One son, Jagdeep Deo, is a state executive councillor in Penang and another, Gobind, is an MP.
Why he must not have a sedan chair ride...
The reason why a third Deo should not have a sedan chair ride to MP-ship is that DAP must be for entitlement by merit, not inheritance.
All this would not matter if the hereditary reflex within the political class in Malaysia were not prominent.
The current prime minister is the son of a former holder of the post; the defence minister is also a former prime minister’s son; the Kedah menteri besar is the son of a former PM, the opposition leader's wife is the unchallenged president of his party; his daughter, at just 34, is rising within PKR by inherited aura, not merited substance; the chief minister of DAP-held Penang is the son of the party's adviser, and it was bruited about in the grapevine that the CM's sister was considered for nomination as the DAP candidate for Bukit Gelugor, which ought to make the choice of Ramkarpal less unjustifiable.
One could go on but need'nt make the point that the hereditary reflex in the political class is beginning to mirror the increasingly sclerotic nature of social class in Malaysia.
PM Najib's siblings are wealthy; the children of a predecessor of his are fabulously so; the menteri besar of Selangor has had his Bank Islam dues much reduced from something like RM59 million; the son of the governor of Sarawak, according to revelations from his ongoing his divorce proceedings, reeks with the odour of unearned riches.
All this is known against mounting evidence that a high percentage of Malaysians born today in the bottom quintile of earners will remain there as adults.
Ambitious parents will breed aspirant children but combatants for a more egalitarian Malaysia must be wary of engendering a polity where, when it comes to power, it draws from a small gene puddle.
The exercise of heritage is for aristocrats, not social democrats.
By TERENCE NETTO who has been a journalist for four decades now. He likes the profession because it puts him in contact with the eminent without being under the necessity to admire them.
Posted first in Malaysiakini
It's being bruited about that Ramkarpal, lawyer son of the father, will be fielded by DAP in the by-election for the Bukit Gelugor seat.
He will win hands down.
But DAP will lose the larger battle against the nepotism, cronyism and corruption that have warped Umno-BN's rule all these years and under whose weight the country is groaning.
Ramkarpal joined the DAP only last November, rather late for a 38-year old.
If chosen as the DAP candidate, his selection is owed to hereditary privilege, not individual merit.
Ironically, holding forth on hereditary privilege - its constitutionally circumscribed spheres - was what put the late Karpal in the legal cross hairs.
This is not to say that Karpal was in violation of the Sedition Act when he held forth the way he did in February 2009 in the Perak constitutional crisis that erupted at that time.
But he was speaking on the issue of a constitutional monarchy. Need it be said that a monarchy, constitutional or absolute, is all about inherited privilege.
Isn't it ironic, then, that Karpal's death should be the occasion for the embedding of hereditary privilege in a party whose social democratic ethos is averse to such practices and whose fight is for an egalitarian polity?
If Karpal had not died and was disqualified from holding his Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat by dint of his losing the apex court appeal against conviction under the Sedition Act, the fielding of another Deo family member in his stead would be the symbolically appropriate thing to do.
But not in the present instance.
Even with Karpal gone, there is no dearth of the Deo family in prominent positions in the DAP. One son, Jagdeep Deo, is a state executive councillor in Penang and another, Gobind, is an MP.
Why he must not have a sedan chair ride...
The reason why a third Deo should not have a sedan chair ride to MP-ship is that DAP must be for entitlement by merit, not inheritance.
All this would not matter if the hereditary reflex within the political class in Malaysia were not prominent.
The current prime minister is the son of a former holder of the post; the defence minister is also a former prime minister’s son; the Kedah menteri besar is the son of a former PM, the opposition leader's wife is the unchallenged president of his party; his daughter, at just 34, is rising within PKR by inherited aura, not merited substance; the chief minister of DAP-held Penang is the son of the party's adviser, and it was bruited about in the grapevine that the CM's sister was considered for nomination as the DAP candidate for Bukit Gelugor, which ought to make the choice of Ramkarpal less unjustifiable.
One could go on but need'nt make the point that the hereditary reflex in the political class is beginning to mirror the increasingly sclerotic nature of social class in Malaysia.
PM Najib's siblings are wealthy; the children of a predecessor of his are fabulously so; the menteri besar of Selangor has had his Bank Islam dues much reduced from something like RM59 million; the son of the governor of Sarawak, according to revelations from his ongoing his divorce proceedings, reeks with the odour of unearned riches.
All this is known against mounting evidence that a high percentage of Malaysians born today in the bottom quintile of earners will remain there as adults.
Ambitious parents will breed aspirant children but combatants for a more egalitarian Malaysia must be wary of engendering a polity where, when it comes to power, it draws from a small gene puddle.
The exercise of heritage is for aristocrats, not social democrats.
By TERENCE NETTO who has been a journalist for four decades now. He likes the profession because it puts him in contact with the eminent without being under the necessity to admire them.
Posted first in Malaysiakini
Wednesday, 23 April 2014
‘Family dynasty’ worry may set Karpal’s son back for Bukit Gelugor
The late DAP stalwart Karpal Singh must have thought of a potential successor for his Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat should anything happen to him. And the person he had in mind was probably his third son, Ramkarpal Singh.
Ramkarpal, a lawyer, could well be the right person to take over his father’s duties as an MP in his constituency. Growing up in a political family, Ramkarpal is well-versed in political affairs and has often represented his father in constituency matters. He is also a long-time member of the DAP.
The issue was heavily discussed in the social media in recent days. Netizens generally agreed that Ramkarpal was a good choice as he was said to possess his late father’s traits of fighting for justice and the downtrodden. He is also well-versed in Penang affairs.
As expected, there were some not in favour of Ramkarpal’s candidacy – the main worry was over the perpetuation of the Singh family dynasty in DAP.
Karpal’s two other sons, Jagdeep and Gobind, are also elected representatives. Jagdeep is a state assemblyman and a Penang executive councilor. Gobind is the MP for Puchong.
Fielding Ramkarpal in Bukit Gelugor will be three brothers too many. Somehow, people generally detest members of the same family being favoured for elective positions.
The most well-known DAP family dynasty is none other than the father-and-son team of Lim Kit Siang and Guan Eng. Lim Jr’s wife, Betty Chew, is also a state assemblywoman in Malacca. On a lower scale, there are the Perak DAP cousins of Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Ming.
It was earlier reported that Karpal had planned for Ramkarpal to be his successor in Bukit Gelugor should he be sentenced to prison due to his sedition conviction.
According to Karpal’s autobiography author Tim Donoghue, the veteran politician had Ramkarpal in mind.
Donoghue indicated that 38-year-old Ramkarpal, who was also injured in the crash which claimed Karpal’s life, was to be his father’s successor even before the 13th general election.
This is unconfirmed information that the author claimed Karpal related to him when he wrote the book, 'Karpal Singh – Tiger of Jelutong'.
Contacted by theantdaily, several DAP leaders declined to comment on the matter, stating they were coming to terms with Karpal’s tragic death while others said it was too early to speak about the possibility of Ramkarpal contesting the seat.
Meanwhile, as the country mourns the passing of Karpal, the Election Commission in a statement on April 21 said that it will meet on April 24 in response to the now-vacant Bukit Gelugor seat.
EC secretary Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said that the “EC was officially notified of the seat vacancy on April 21 following Karpal’s death”.
In a recent statement, DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said it has yet to shortlist candidates to contest the Bukit Gelugor seat and that Penang DAP committee will only hold a meeting this Thursday to discuss the parliamentary by-election.
Karpal lost his life in a tragic road crash on April 17 at the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung, Perak. His long-time aide, Michael Cornelius was also killed in the accident while Ramkarpal sustained minor injuries. An Indonesian domestic helper was seriously injured in the crash.
By Cecelia Jayanthi Victor
The Ant Daily
Ramkarpal, a lawyer, could well be the right person to take over his father’s duties as an MP in his constituency. Growing up in a political family, Ramkarpal is well-versed in political affairs and has often represented his father in constituency matters. He is also a long-time member of the DAP.
The issue was heavily discussed in the social media in recent days. Netizens generally agreed that Ramkarpal was a good choice as he was said to possess his late father’s traits of fighting for justice and the downtrodden. He is also well-versed in Penang affairs.
As expected, there were some not in favour of Ramkarpal’s candidacy – the main worry was over the perpetuation of the Singh family dynasty in DAP.
Karpal’s two other sons, Jagdeep and Gobind, are also elected representatives. Jagdeep is a state assemblyman and a Penang executive councilor. Gobind is the MP for Puchong.
Fielding Ramkarpal in Bukit Gelugor will be three brothers too many. Somehow, people generally detest members of the same family being favoured for elective positions.
The most well-known DAP family dynasty is none other than the father-and-son team of Lim Kit Siang and Guan Eng. Lim Jr’s wife, Betty Chew, is also a state assemblywoman in Malacca. On a lower scale, there are the Perak DAP cousins of Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Ming.
It was earlier reported that Karpal had planned for Ramkarpal to be his successor in Bukit Gelugor should he be sentenced to prison due to his sedition conviction.
According to Karpal’s autobiography author Tim Donoghue, the veteran politician had Ramkarpal in mind.
Donoghue indicated that 38-year-old Ramkarpal, who was also injured in the crash which claimed Karpal’s life, was to be his father’s successor even before the 13th general election.
This is unconfirmed information that the author claimed Karpal related to him when he wrote the book, 'Karpal Singh – Tiger of Jelutong'.
Contacted by theantdaily, several DAP leaders declined to comment on the matter, stating they were coming to terms with Karpal’s tragic death while others said it was too early to speak about the possibility of Ramkarpal contesting the seat.
Meanwhile, as the country mourns the passing of Karpal, the Election Commission in a statement on April 21 said that it will meet on April 24 in response to the now-vacant Bukit Gelugor seat.
EC secretary Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said that the “EC was officially notified of the seat vacancy on April 21 following Karpal’s death”.
In a recent statement, DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said it has yet to shortlist candidates to contest the Bukit Gelugor seat and that Penang DAP committee will only hold a meeting this Thursday to discuss the parliamentary by-election.
Karpal lost his life in a tragic road crash on April 17 at the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung, Perak. His long-time aide, Michael Cornelius was also killed in the accident while Ramkarpal sustained minor injuries. An Indonesian domestic helper was seriously injured in the crash.
By Cecelia Jayanthi Victor
The Ant Daily
Zaid on 'Hudud Without Karpal'
Karpal Singh’s untimely death has robbed Malaysia of a vocal politician who consistently opposed the implementation of hudud law in the country. He will be rightly remembered as a top politician who was unafraid to openly defend the nation’s secular and democratic principles.
It must be remembered, however, that PAS’ declared intention to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state has somehow not deterred Karpal’s party DAP from working with them as political allies. As they say, politics is the art of the possible.
What will DAP’s attitude towards hudud and the idea of an Islamic state be without Karpal? The party’s Malay members will not say anything to suggest that they are opposed to it. They are just like the Malays in UMNO and PKR – they need to pretend that they are God-fearing on this issue. They will mumble something along the lines that as Muslims, they are supportive of hudud but… (followed by a long list of incomprehensible excuses).
In the end, DAP will be like MCA and will only raise their occasional voices of disapproval to the hudud plan as instructed to by their Malay majority partners. When that happens, we will miss Karpal more than ever. On this particular issue, Karpal spoke as more than just a political leader. He believed in the secular principles that this country was founded on, and understood they are key to our future. He spoke with conviction and moral fervour. He was a believer of democratic rights and a relentless defender of the Rule of Law as other Commonwealth countries understand it. We will miss his clarity and unequivocal support for a Malaysia that is free from autocrats, oligarchs and the religious clergy.
I know there are many defenders of our democratic system (who are not political leaders) who will continue to champion the basics of the Federal Constitution. They will be equally vociferous and strong in organising the democratic forces against the neo-fascists groups disguised as religious NGOs. When I first instituted my opposition to the hudud proposal by making a legal challenge in our courts 15 years ago, I was pleasantly surprised that so many lawyers and social activists supported this move. They were Malays too, and they knew that they would suffer the most if the politicians are left to do as they please.
I’m sure that lawyers like Malik Imtiaz, and the younger ones like Syahrezan Johan and Nizam Bashir, are brave Muslims who are prepared to continue speaking out against implementing hudud. They know that Muslims and other Malaysians are simply better off living under the present legal system. Still, without a senior political leader of Karpal’s stature in Parliament, there will be a huge vacuum. Leaders who are categorically emphatic that Malaysia should remain a secular democracy are almost non-existent today.
A similar situation is unfolding in India, where the ultra-nationalist Hindu Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) is taking the lead in the upcoming national polls. A win for the BJP would mean that secular rule in India – long exemplified by the leadership of the Congress Party – may be replaced by a religious one, as BJP leader Narendra Modi has promised to include core policies with Hindu elements. Indians face a tough choice at their national polls. Do they abandon the Congress Party, which has held on to power since 1947 (except for a few years of Emergency Rule) despite accusations of corrupt practices, or do they pick the popular and effective Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who will likely end the country’s tradition of secular politics?
At a time when the days of gentle democrats and religious neutrality are slowly disappearing, Malaysians will face a similarly tough choice in the next General Election. Perkasa will certainly emerge to become a dominant force here if we do not care enough about what’s happening in our country.
Source: The Malay Mail
It must be remembered, however, that PAS’ declared intention to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state has somehow not deterred Karpal’s party DAP from working with them as political allies. As they say, politics is the art of the possible.
What will DAP’s attitude towards hudud and the idea of an Islamic state be without Karpal? The party’s Malay members will not say anything to suggest that they are opposed to it. They are just like the Malays in UMNO and PKR – they need to pretend that they are God-fearing on this issue. They will mumble something along the lines that as Muslims, they are supportive of hudud but… (followed by a long list of incomprehensible excuses).
In the end, DAP will be like MCA and will only raise their occasional voices of disapproval to the hudud plan as instructed to by their Malay majority partners. When that happens, we will miss Karpal more than ever. On this particular issue, Karpal spoke as more than just a political leader. He believed in the secular principles that this country was founded on, and understood they are key to our future. He spoke with conviction and moral fervour. He was a believer of democratic rights and a relentless defender of the Rule of Law as other Commonwealth countries understand it. We will miss his clarity and unequivocal support for a Malaysia that is free from autocrats, oligarchs and the religious clergy.
I know there are many defenders of our democratic system (who are not political leaders) who will continue to champion the basics of the Federal Constitution. They will be equally vociferous and strong in organising the democratic forces against the neo-fascists groups disguised as religious NGOs. When I first instituted my opposition to the hudud proposal by making a legal challenge in our courts 15 years ago, I was pleasantly surprised that so many lawyers and social activists supported this move. They were Malays too, and they knew that they would suffer the most if the politicians are left to do as they please.
I’m sure that lawyers like Malik Imtiaz, and the younger ones like Syahrezan Johan and Nizam Bashir, are brave Muslims who are prepared to continue speaking out against implementing hudud. They know that Muslims and other Malaysians are simply better off living under the present legal system. Still, without a senior political leader of Karpal’s stature in Parliament, there will be a huge vacuum. Leaders who are categorically emphatic that Malaysia should remain a secular democracy are almost non-existent today.
A similar situation is unfolding in India, where the ultra-nationalist Hindu Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) is taking the lead in the upcoming national polls. A win for the BJP would mean that secular rule in India – long exemplified by the leadership of the Congress Party – may be replaced by a religious one, as BJP leader Narendra Modi has promised to include core policies with Hindu elements. Indians face a tough choice at their national polls. Do they abandon the Congress Party, which has held on to power since 1947 (except for a few years of Emergency Rule) despite accusations of corrupt practices, or do they pick the popular and effective Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who will likely end the country’s tradition of secular politics?
At a time when the days of gentle democrats and religious neutrality are slowly disappearing, Malaysians will face a similarly tough choice in the next General Election. Perkasa will certainly emerge to become a dominant force here if we do not care enough about what’s happening in our country.
Source: The Malay Mail
Thursday, 17 April 2014
The Last Farewell
Rest in peace, Karpal Singh.
Deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Karpal Singh and his assistant, Michael C.
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Karpal Singh fined for sedition
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur High Court today sentenced lawyer and DAP chairman Karpal Singh to a fine of RM4,000 for sedition.
On Feb 21, the same court had found him guilty of sedition for questioning the Sultan of Perak’s action in removing Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the menteri besar of Perak in 2009.
Trial judge Azman Abdullah delivered the sentence today after hearing mitigation from Karpal Singh’s lawyers Ram Karpal Singh, Sanjeet Kaur and Gobind Singh Deo, and from the prosecution.
Justice Azman however did not allow the Bar Council and Lawasia to make submissions for Karpal Singh.
The RM4,000 fine means Karpal Singh can be disqualified as the Bukit Gelugor MP if he fails in his appeal to either overturn the conviction, or to reduce the fine to be below RM2,000.
Karpal Singh later told reporters that that he would file an appeal in the Court of Appeal.
“In my 35 years (of political activism), I fought… and I will keep fighting. It’s no problem. As an MP we have to take risks,” he said.
Wheelchair-bound Karpal Singh, 74, was found guilty of having said at his legal firm in Jalan Pudu Lama on Feb 6, 2009, that the removal of Mohammad Nizar and the appointment of Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as the new menteri besar by the sultan could be questioned in court.
The charge, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, provides for a maximum jail term of three years and a fine of RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.
The High Court had, on June 11, 2010, acquitted and discharged Karpal Singh without calling for his defence but, following an appeal by the prosecution, the Court of Appeal, on Jan 20, 2012, ordered him to make his defence.
The court today was filled with Pakatan Rakyat leaders and supporters.
Shouts of ‘zalim’
Earlier, in mitigation, Karpal Singh’s defence team argued that the politician merely offered a legal opinion and the charge leveled at him was done in bad faith.
Also present at the court today was Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, Pas deputy president Mohamad Sabu, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Hundreds of Pakatan Rakyat supporters gathered at the court as early as 8am. However the situation remained calm throughout except for one instance when the crowd shouted “zalim” (cruel) when the prosecution sought jail sentence for Karpal Singh.
The court’s decision has since received heavy criticism from lawyers and pro human rights group.
Previously, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) depicted the decision as the return of authoritarianism and political persecution.
The group expressed shock over the conviction as they strongly believed that it was not a crime to make critical comments.
Lawyer Syahredzan Johan also pointed out that what Karpal Singh had said in regards to Sultan Azlan Shah’s decision to remove Nizar Jamaluddin as the Perak Menteri Besar in 2009 was merely an opinion from a legal expert.
Meanwhile, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said in a press statement that Karpal Singh’s conviction sent a message that lawyers in Malaysia were not free to express their opinion on legal issues before condemning the conviction saying it was inconsistent with international law.
FMT
On Feb 21, the same court had found him guilty of sedition for questioning the Sultan of Perak’s action in removing Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the menteri besar of Perak in 2009.
Trial judge Azman Abdullah delivered the sentence today after hearing mitigation from Karpal Singh’s lawyers Ram Karpal Singh, Sanjeet Kaur and Gobind Singh Deo, and from the prosecution.
Justice Azman however did not allow the Bar Council and Lawasia to make submissions for Karpal Singh.
The RM4,000 fine means Karpal Singh can be disqualified as the Bukit Gelugor MP if he fails in his appeal to either overturn the conviction, or to reduce the fine to be below RM2,000.
Karpal Singh later told reporters that that he would file an appeal in the Court of Appeal.
“In my 35 years (of political activism), I fought… and I will keep fighting. It’s no problem. As an MP we have to take risks,” he said.
Wheelchair-bound Karpal Singh, 74, was found guilty of having said at his legal firm in Jalan Pudu Lama on Feb 6, 2009, that the removal of Mohammad Nizar and the appointment of Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as the new menteri besar by the sultan could be questioned in court.
The charge, under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, provides for a maximum jail term of three years and a fine of RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.
The High Court had, on June 11, 2010, acquitted and discharged Karpal Singh without calling for his defence but, following an appeal by the prosecution, the Court of Appeal, on Jan 20, 2012, ordered him to make his defence.
The court today was filled with Pakatan Rakyat leaders and supporters.
Shouts of ‘zalim’
Earlier, in mitigation, Karpal Singh’s defence team argued that the politician merely offered a legal opinion and the charge leveled at him was done in bad faith.
Also present at the court today was Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, Pas deputy president Mohamad Sabu, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Hundreds of Pakatan Rakyat supporters gathered at the court as early as 8am. However the situation remained calm throughout except for one instance when the crowd shouted “zalim” (cruel) when the prosecution sought jail sentence for Karpal Singh.
The court’s decision has since received heavy criticism from lawyers and pro human rights group.
Previously, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) depicted the decision as the return of authoritarianism and political persecution.
The group expressed shock over the conviction as they strongly believed that it was not a crime to make critical comments.
Lawyer Syahredzan Johan also pointed out that what Karpal Singh had said in regards to Sultan Azlan Shah’s decision to remove Nizar Jamaluddin as the Perak Menteri Besar in 2009 was merely an opinion from a legal expert.
Meanwhile, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said in a press statement that Karpal Singh’s conviction sent a message that lawyers in Malaysia were not free to express their opinion on legal issues before condemning the conviction saying it was inconsistent with international law.
FMT
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)