Karam Singh Veriah, the lawyer who fought injustice at a personal cost

Karam Singh Veriah, a lawyer who fought for society's underprivileged, spent his life championing workers and the poor, even at great personal sacrifice. Born in Seremban in 1936, Karam was the eldest of nine children and skipped several grades to earn his law degree at 19. At just 22, he became the youngest elected MP in newly independent Malaya, representing Damansara.

Despite his political success, Karam lived a modest life, leaving little behind at his death. His daughter, Jasvinder Kaur, a Kuala Lumpur-based lawyer and cookbook author, speaks of her father's enduring legacy. Jasvinder recounts her father's ambition to become the prime minister from a young age, inspired by Subhas Chandra Bose's speech in Seremban.

One notable instance is the 1967 Bukit Asahan march, where Karam led 70 laid-off workers from Melaka to Kuala Lumpur, demanding justice in Parliament. His time in detention for leading the march left lasting emotional scars, as he was kept in a dark cell for four years. Karam devoted much of his career to defending workers' rights, particularly those with little power or money.

He famously challenged the government over Sim Kie Chon's execution in the 1980s, criticizing the unequal treatment of criminals. Karam's integrity led to a conviction for contempt of court and a fine. Despite his humble beginnings, Karam encouraged his daughter to pursue a career as a factory worker, emphasizing that even the small man deserved recognition.