Malaysia's top ethnic-Indian lawyer dies in car accident

He was first elected to parliament in 1978 as the representative for Jelutong, Penang, and held the seat for more than 20 years until losing it in 1999.  He returned to parliament after he won in the 2008 general election.

A car accident in 2005 had left Singh partially paralyzed and dependent on a wheelchair. Despite this, he continued his legal and political careers.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is currently on an official visit to Turkey, tweeted from Ankara to extend his condolences to the politician's family members.  

“I am shocked to hear of Karpal Singh's tragic passing,” Najib said in a statement issued by his office here.  “In politics, he was an implacable leader; in law, a committed advocate,” Najib said.

Opposition leader Anwar said the news came “like a lightning bolt”.

“Just last evening, I had had a lengthy chat with him,” he said in a statement, expressing “profound sadness”.  He called Karpal “an inspiring symbol for the struggle against oppression and injustice”.