Former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik has described the late Karpal Singh as a playful student who always failed in the exam.
Dr Ling, who is Karpal's hostel-mate in the early 1960s, said both of them studied at the then University of Malaya in Singapore.
"We were staying at the same hostel in Dunearn Road in Singapore, and I remember him as the cheeky student who always failed his exam.
"When I was the student union president, Karpal was still in his first semester as the committee member," he told reporters before paying his last respect to Karpal at his wake on Friday here.
He said at one time, Karpal finally made it a point to pass all his examinations in order to graduate and become a good lawyer.
When asked to describe his friendship with Karpal, Dr Ling said both of them were in the "silently close relationship" as they were active in different political parties.
"Have you ever heard Karpal scolding Liong Sik or have you heard I scold Karpal? No, we never scold each other despite our political differences. I only scolded DAP and he only scolded MCA.
"I will miss Karpal and the country will miss him too," said the former Transport Minister while holding back tears.
Meanwhile, former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said during his time in Parliament, Karpal always raised questions for the benefit of the people.
"I was in Parliament with him for many years and everytime he raised a question, it was for the benefit of the people.
"Whatever questions he asked, I would give him very satisfactory answers. I would provide him with more information if he needed further clarification.
"His demise is a great loss to the country and I am very sad today because we have lost a very good friend," he said.
Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, on the other hand, said he first met Karpal in the Parliament in 1986.
"We might have had different opinions during our debates in Parliament, but when outside, we were friends and I think his demise is a great loss to the country," he said.
Gerakan Deputy President Datuk Dr Cheah Soon Hai said Karpal's political career outshined most of the politicians of his time.
"Karpal will leave his legacy behind for all Malaysians, especially in politics and among legal practitioners," he said.
Other Cabinet ministers and party leaders who pay their last respect to Karpal at his residence at Jalan Utama Friday were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri, MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang, newly appointed Penang Barisan Nasional chairman Teng Chang Yeow, Penang opposition leader Datuk Jahara Hamid, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and PKR Deputy President Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Karpal Singh died in a road accident at Km306.1 of the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung in Kampar at 1.10 am yesterday. He was 74.
Also killed in the MPV-lorry accident was Karpal Singh's personal assistant Michael Cornelius, who was in his 40s.
Bernama
Sat Apr 19 2014
Former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and the late Karpal Singh both studied at the then University of Malaya in Singapore.
Pasukan sorak Malaysia raih tempat ketiga di Florida
Pasukan sorak Team Malaysia Youth All Girls meraih tempat ketiga divisyen Youth All-Girl Median di International Cheer Union World Junior Cheerleading Championship.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Sekumpulan pakar PBB gesa laluan selamat bagi misi penghantaran bantuan
Sekumpulan pakar dari Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) menggesa agar laluan selamat bagi misi Break The Siege Freedom Flotilla to Gaza pada Jumaat.
Sabah FC berdepan tunggakan sebulan gaji pemain - Pengarah
Sabah FC kini hanya berdepan tunggakan gaji pemain untuk satu bulan setelah usaha dilakukan secara tuntas untuk menyelesaikan masalah pembayaran tunggakan sejak tahun lepas.
Tumpuan Jumaat - 26 April 2024
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan di Astro AWANI.
MYAirline akan terus kekalkan barisan pemegang jawatan, dapatkan pelbagai pelabur
MYAirline Sdn Bhd akan terus mengekalkan barisan pemegang jawatan yang dilantik dan pengurusan utama selain memastikan dokumentasi Sijil Perakuan Pengendali Udaranya (AOC) kekal dalam keadaan terkini.
China sokong Malaysia untuk dapatkan pembangunan yang sesuai dan mainkan peranan dalam arena antarabangsa
China akan memberikan sokongan kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim untuk mempromosikan prinsip Malaysia MADANI dalam tadbir urus.
Perasuah semakin licik, perlu sokongan semua pihak terutama media - Azam Baki
Rasuah merupakan jenayah yang unik sifatnya pada masa kini dan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) memerlukan sokongan daripada semua pihak khususnya media untuk membanterasnya.
KJ tak terfikir untuk kembali ke FAM
Khairy berkata terdapat calon-calon lain yang lebih layak untuk menerajui badan induk itu berbanding beliau.
Dakwa kerajaan ambil tindakan terhadap kritikan, Syed Saddiq diminta tidak hipokrit - Fahmi
Fahmi berkata kerajaan tidak menghalang rakyat untuk mengkritik, khususnya melibatkan dasar yang dilaksanakan kerajaan.
Dua anak Tun M sekali lagi diberi tempoh lanjutan 30 hari bagi isytihar harta
Maklumat harta serta aset Mirzan dan Tan Sri Mokhzani sejak empat dekad lalu perlu dikemukakan dalam tempoh 30 hari kepada SPRM.