SALUTATION
1. Yang Berbahagia Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi
Malaysian Legal Scholar and Professor of Law at the University of Malaya
Fellow Future Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Salam Perpaduan, Salam Malaysia MADANI and a very good Evening.
1. It is indeed an honour to be here today, as we pay tribute to Datuk Seri Utama Karpal Singh — my late father, my hero.
2. The Karpal Singh Law Scholarship Award Ceremony is more than just a tribute event. It is one to recognise young talents who will go on to champion justice, integrity, and empathy. Lawyers who will go on to create a free and fair Malaysia.
3. It is a ceremony that aims to inspire aspiring lawyers to stay true to the virtues of the profession, and to remind them the importance of contributing back to the society.
4. It is also our way of giving young deserving Malaysians an opportunity to pursue their dreams through education. The MADANI Government is very clear about providing opportunities, especially to those from underprivileged families.
5. As reflected in Budget 2026, some 5,800 students at public universities will be provided free education via the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), with RM120 million allocated annually. Those who do well should rightfully be rewarded. As such, PTPTN will exempt payment for students from low and middle-income families who graduate with a first-class bachelor's degree with honours from public universities. This will benefit around 6,000 borrowers with an annual allocation of RM90 million. 3
6. The government will also add 1,500 undergraduate places across 10 fields of study - including law, accounting, economics, banking, Islamic finance, AI and languages - for outstanding students to pursue their studies and to increase access to education.
7. We at DAP are also committed to this cause — to provide access and empower our youths through education.
8. At the inaugural ceremony last year, DAP secretary-general, YB Anthony Loke announced that our party will allocate RM100,000, to be distributed to 10 deserving recipients reading law.
9. However, due to overwhelming responses and pledges from supporters, the amount was increased to RM200,000. The 10 recipients received RM20,000 each. That motivated us to continue with the same amount of funds.
10. The number of applications this year was equally encouraging. We received 200 applications nationwide, even from Sabah and Sarawak.
11. Once again, 10 recipients were identified. They will also receive RM20,000 each.
12. The recipients hail from different backgrounds and are of various races. Some are studying in local universities, some abroad. Not all of them are DAP members. This shows that we recognise young Malaysians based on merit, not merely by their political affiliation.
13. We do not just look at academic results but value their efforts in helping the community, either through non-governmental organisations or public interest work.
14. This year’s recipients, just like the previous edition, are the cream of the crop. They are those who have the ability to carry the aspirations of Datuk Seri Utama Karpal, and continue his legacy.
15. As Datuk Seri Utama Karpal once said — if he was gone, there would be 100 Karpals to take his place.
16. Congratulations to the recipients. Be inspired by Datuk Seri Utama Karpal. Go on and take his place. Defend what’s right. Uphold the principles of democracy, human rights, social justice, multiculturalism and good governance as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
17. Before I take leave, I would like to extend my appreciation to Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi — a seasoned and respectable legal expert that needs no introduction. He will be delivering the lecture “Reforming the Judicial Appointments Commission for a Stronger and More Independent Judiciary”. I am sure you will learn a lot from him.
Thank You.
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