Leaders from both sides of the political divide pay tribute to Karpal Singh

Leaders from both sides of the political divide, regardless of race and religion, continued to visit the residence of the late Karpal Singh Friday to pay their last respects.

Among them were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri, Penang opposition leader Datuk Jahara Hamid, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and several Barisan Nasional state assemblymen.

Nancy, who is MP for Batang Sadong in Sarawak, told reporters that Karpal Singh had been a strong leader and lawyer who was committed to justice.

Jahara, who is also the state assemblyman for Teluk Air Tawar, described Karpal Singh's death as a great loss to the country.

"Karpal was an advocate with high ethics and very committed to principles that should be emulated by all counsel. As a politician, he was a professional who never made personal attacks," he said.

Azmin said Karpal Singh had been a mentor who was always helping the less fortunate.

"He was an icon who could not be replaced and his passing is not only a great loss to Pakatan (Rakyat) but also to all Malaysians," he said.

Karpal Singh was killed in an accident involving his MPV and a lorry at Km306.1 of the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung in Kampar, Perak, early Thursday morning.

Also killed in the accident was his personal assistant, Michael Cornelius, 39.