MIRI: Piasau assemblyman and lawyer Ling Ling Sie Kiong is heartbroken with the sudden demise yesterday of Malaysian eminent lawyer and parliamentarian Karpal Singh, who he regarded as his master and mentor.
“Goodbye to our giant figure, who will be deeply missed by Malaysians and the world looking forward to justice and democracy,” he wrote in a touching tribute to the man who was also known as Tiger of Jelutong and Ling’s mentor in his chambering days.
Ling was shell-shocked to learn of Karpal’s tragic end in a road accident early yesterday morning, saying his passing in such a way was unacceptable, and appealed for a thorough investigation to find out the cause.
Karpal taught him law and correctly predicted way back in 2009 that Ling would one day be an elected representative in Miri.
Recalling fondly his time chambering in Karpal’s law office at JLing Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, he said everyone was intimidated by the fierce look of the white-bearded ‘Tiger of Jelutong’ due to his outspoken personality in speaking without fear or favour.
“Yes, that is his outstanding quality, but the fear that I first had of him dissipated after I found him to be a very soft spoken and gentle man,” he said.
Ling recalled seeing personally Karpal’s dedication and passion for his legal practice and his duty as a parliamentarian.
“The physical constraint of moving around in a wheelchair did not dampen his spirit to serve the people; very frequently on Friday he would depart KL for Penang after meeting clients till late at night in order to be able to serve his constituency,” he said.
When Ling left his firm to return to Sarawak, the staff arranged a simple ceremony late at night, after waiting for him to finish meeting all his clients.
“He cut a cake with me and my colleagues, wishing me well in future undertakings, and with the last sentence, he joked that I might become the next Miri MP, who knows!,” he related.
“That was the only moment he talked about politics with me and I never took it seriously then, but maybe it was fated that I joined DAP and became involved in politics later.
“As soon as he knew that I was going to contest in the state polls, I could feel that he was proud to tell party comrades that I was from his law firm, and he was my master in admitting me to be a qualified lawyer in the High Court of Malaya,” he added.
Ling was elected Piasau assemblyman in the last state election, and this would be his third year as an elected representative.
After Ling won the election, Karpal faxed a congratulatory note to him.
And when he was unable to attend Ling’s wedding on December 18, 2012, he thoughtfully arranged for flowers to be sent to the wedding reception venue.
Pointing out that Karpal’s passing was a great loss to the nation, he said: “We know he will bless us from beyond in our meaningful struggle.”
Ling also expressed sadness at the death of Karpal’s long serving aide who was also his good friend, Michael Cornelius.
“He worked round the clock beside our ‘Boss’, and to have looked after him so well, he deserved to be accorded recognition too.”