GEORGE TOWN: The funeral procession of the late Karpal Singh on Sunday will make three “significant stops” on its way from the Dewan Sri Pinang to the Batu Gantung crematorium, it was announced here yesterday.

Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who heads the Penang funeral committee for Karpal, said the stops would be at the Penang High Court complex, where he had practised law; the Penang State Legislative Assembly Hall, where he began his political career; and the St Xavier’s Institution, his alma mater.

The stops, decided by the funeral committee, were to allow for photography sessions as these had been significant places for Karpal, he told reporters.

The procession would begin at the Dewan Sri Pinang at 11am, he said.

Karpal was killed at 1.10am yesterday in a road accident involving the MPV he was travelling in and a lorry on the North-South Expressway, near Gua Tempurung in Perak. His personal assistant, Michael Cornelius, 39, was also killed in the accident.

The cortege is expected to leave at 8.15am for the Dewan Sri Pinang from Karpal’s residence, at 144A, Jalan Utama here, where the wake is being held.

At the residence earlier yesteday, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang led a group of party members to drape the casket with the party flag.

Chow said members of the public could also pay their last respects at the Dewan Sri Pinang on tomorrow.

He said Sikh prayers would be held at the Dewan Sri Pinang.

Jagdeep Singh Deo, Karpal’s eldest son, said the family was thankful to the state government for the state-level funeral.

“Penang’s recognition will make my father proud as, in his life, he had never asked for anything from anybody after what he had sacrificed for the party and the country.”

He said the family house would be closed to public visits at |11pm daily to allow family members to rest.

After the cremation, Karpal’s ashes will be scattered in the sea on Monday morning. Bernama

-NST