GEORGE TOWN (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - It was an emotional moment when the Auld Lang Syne was played as the casket bearing Malaysian veteran lawyer and opposition politician Karpal Singh's body was brought into the Dewan Sri Pinang hall on Sunday.

About 100 superbikers led the hearse of Mr Karpal, a leading politician from the Democratic Action Party (DAP).

Members of the public began paying their last respects from 8.30am. Many people, with some holding flowers, could be seen snapping pictures when the casket was brought into the hall.

DAP leaders and veterans including Dr Chen Man Hin were also present.

Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng will deliver the eulogy.

A procession will take place to mark his final journey - a testimony of the impact left by the "Tiger of Jelutong".

The procession will make stops at places dear to Mr Karpal - the Penang High Court, his office in Green Hall, the Penang state assembly building, his alma mater St Xavier's Institution (SXI) and state DAP party headquarters in Rangoon Road - before proceeding to the Batu Gantong crematorium.

Mr Karpal, 73, died in a car crash on Thursday.