| Petaling Jaya, Malaysia | 2 Feb 2017 | Asia Samachar |
Balwant Singh, among the two dozen senior Malaysian lawyers who practiced law into their late 80s and 90s, passed away today. He was 95.
Balwant, who carries the title Datuk and lives in Petaling Jaya, became well known when he fatally shot a dispatch rider in in Bangsar in 2002 in a road bully incident. In July 2003, the High Court found him not guilty of a charge of murdering the despatch rider, with Justice S. Augustine Paul ruling that Balwant had proved on a balance of probabilities that he had acted in the exercise of the right of self-defence.
Balwant had also played a role in some Sikh organisations. He was a former president of Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya (GSPJ) and also a former president of Selangor Sikh Union (SSU) Kelab Aman.
“He was the first president after GSPJ had its new building in 1970s,” said Manmohan Singh, an active member of the GSPJ.
Fellow lawyer Baljit Singh Sidhu, who had known Balwant for many years, said the senior lawyer had lived life to the fullest.
“He had showered me a lot of guidance, kindness…always available when you need to talk. In the legal fraternity, he was probably amongst the two dozen lawyers still practicing law into their 80s and 90s. Up to the end, he was still practicing. He kept going to the office,” Baljit, who is the present SSU deputy president, tells Asia Samachar in a telephone conversation.
On the final day of his murder trial, The Star reporter Charanjeet Kaur captured the following observations in its report:
Balwant Singh, who had kept his eyes closed during the proceedings, immediately opened his eyes when the court announced his acquittal. He then heaved a sigh of relief, walked over to his lawyers, thanked and hugged them.
When met outside the courtroom, Balwant Singh, 81, said he was “sorry for the life that has been lost”.
“I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. But I must say that I, too, had undergone a traumatic period over the last 13 months. “It has not been easy for me either,” he added almost in tears.
When asked about Balwant, Charanjeet told Asia Samachar: “He was a man of a few words. When he approached me and another Sikh reporter, he would occasionally speak in Punjabi. The other reporters were worried that we would scoop them (small laughter).”
In the 99-page judgment, Justice Paul said Balwant had done everything possible to pacify the deceased’s aggression.
“He tried to explain matters to the deceased who was not bothered, he showed his gun to the deceased who became more aggressive. He then fired a warning shot which did not deter the deceased.”
Saskaar / Cremation: 1pm on 5 Feb 2017 (Sunday) at the Gui Yuan Crematorium at Kampung Tunku, Petaling Jaya.
Cortege timing: Casket leaves from No 2, Jalan 5/31, Off Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya (near EPF building) on 5 Feb 2017 (Sunday) at 12pm.
Paying respects: Those wishing to pay their respects to the family can visit the residence from 7pm on 3 Feb (Friday) till 5 Feb (Sunday).
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