PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Shocked and heartbroken - these words summed up netizens' feelings after news broke out that Malaysian veteran opposition politician Karpal Singh, 73, was killed in an accident.

Mr Karpal, who was a Democratic Action Party (DAP) leader, and his aide C Michael died at the scene early Thursday morning when the car he was travelling in collided with a lorry near Gua Tempurung in Perak.

Politicians, activist and people tweeted their condolences to Mr Karpal's family and also expressed their shock over the incident.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak got the news after he landed in Turkey and expressed his condolences to the family.

"I have just landed at Ankara when I heard the news that YB Karpal Singh died in a road accident. My condolences to the family," he tweeted.

Malaysian Chinese Assocaition (MCA) president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai also tweeted his condolences on his official Twitter account.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that they had lost a colleague and an indefatigable fighter for justice.

"We've lost a friend. We spoke for quite a while on telephone at 6.30pm yesterday. My condolences for the family," he said in one of his tweets.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim tweeted that it was a sad news for the nation.

"The country has lost a noted political figure and a competent lawyer. My condolences to the family of the late Karpal Singh," he said in Malay.

PKR's vice-president Tian Chua tweeted about the tragic news and said he was sad and speechless upon hearing the news.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said he got a "sad" wake up call from Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican Naina.

"I immediately called @GobindSinghDeo and Jagdeep. These are truly sad calls in life.

"There is a void, a huge void to be filled in parliament as well as in court rooms. Farewell, Tiger of Jelutong," Sim tweeted.

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo also tweeted about his father's death.

After the news broke out, pictures of the vehicle wreckage were widely circulated on the Internet and one twitterer, @klubkidd, urged netizens to stop spreading the photos.

"Condolences to the family and loved ones of a great man. To those spreading photos of the accident, don't. Honestly, it's heart breaking," said klubkidd.