KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Even more than a decade after his death, the memory and legacy of the late DAP stalwart Datuk Seri Karpal Singh lives on.
Last night, 10 law students were awarded scholarships under the annual Karpal Singh Law Scholarship programme.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the scholarship programme — now in its second year — aims to nurture future lawyers by awarding RM20,000 to each selected recipient to pursue law and inspire them to become future “Karpal Singhs”.
“I hope we can organise this as a yearly event to commemorate Saudara Karpal, to uphold his legacy and to train more future Karpal Singhs,” he said at the awards ceremony at Nexus Bangsar South here last night.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke at the Karpal Singh Law Scholarship awards ceremony. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
Loke added that there are plans to further institutionalise the initiative through the establishment of the Karpal Singh Foundation — subject to the consent of Karpal’s family — to ensure the scholarship programme’s long-term continuity on a yearly basis.
With over 200 applicants nationwide this year, Loke said the selection committee, chaired by Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, had a “tough time” narrowing down the list of recipients — most of whom are high achievers from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing law degrees.
DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo, who is also Karpal’s son, said the awards ceremony was more than just a commemorative gathering.
”It is one in which we recognise young talents who will go on to champion justice, integrity and empathy, lawyers who will go on to create a more free and fair Malaysia.
”It is a ceremony that aims to inspire aspiring lawyers that stay true to the virtues of their profession and remind them of the importance of ultimately contributing back to society,” he said.
DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo at the Karpal Singh Law Scholarship awards ceremony. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
A lecture by Emeritus Professor Datuk Shad Saleem Faruqi titled “Reforming the Judicial Appointments Commission For a Stronger and More Independent Judiciary” followed the awards ceremony.
Karpal died on April 17, 2014, in an accident on the North-South Expressway, near Gua Tempurung, Perak. He was 74 years old.
He was the MP for Jelutong for 21 years. At his death, he was the MP for Bukit Gelugor, having held the seat since 2004.
