A Tribute To A Legend | Karpal Singh

Contributed by Sunil Vijayan, Member of the Bar Why do I feel  such a sense of loss  for a man who knew me not?  How does one  touch thousands upon thousands of lives  so deeply, so distinctly, so profoundly  as you have done?  What was it  that made you so special?  Was it your courage to speak up and act  when others simply could not or dare not?  Was it your adherence to truth  or your love and sacrifice for your fellow man?  A lion by name, a tiger by fame;  the sword of truth in one hand,  the shield of justice in the other,  the fire of courage burning in your heart.  You went into battle even when you knew  the odds were stacked against you;  it mattered not whom you faced or how many,  it mattered not whether you won or you lost,  what mattered to you was the fight that must be fought  for truth, a just cause and a better Malaysia.  In these battles, when the waves of opposition  lashed upon you again and again,  when many others would have faltered  or simply been broken and defeated,  you stood strong, firm and unwavering.  That you would face opposition,  even violent opposition,  came as no surprise, for as Einstein said  "Great spirits have always encountered  violent opposition from mediocre minds".  O patriot,  You have done your nation proud;  you fought valiantly, battle after battle,  as the people watched in admiration,  at your strength, courage and resilience.  In your tireless quest,  we saw what it was  to dream the impossible dream,  to fight the unbeatable foe.  Champion of truth.  Defender of justice.  Protector of the constitution.  The time has now come for you to rest;  for you have given of yourself  far more than we could have ever asked for.  Your motherland weeps,  not tears of sorrow but tears of joy;  proud, that a son like you  blossomed in this blessed land.  You have now been set free  from the limitations of this physical body;  to take your rightful place  as a star in God's heaven,  a rose in God's garden.  Blessed indeed are we,  our lives touched  by the legend  that is  Karpal Singh.