a simple JBJ tribute on my website

Thank you for fighting so hard to be our voice in a culture of the silent majority.
Farewell to the familiar voice that I’ve grown up with.

Rest in peace.

Can the Lion rise from its ashes? Will Singaoreans remain oppressed through sheer ignorance, feigned ignorance and deliberate ignorance? The answer lies in our collective hands. Come 2010/11 we shall see if what the Lion stood for really can stand the test of time.

I found this in the Singapore Daily. I think, it’s just too beautiful to leave out.

http://singaporedaily.net/2008/09/30/daily-sg-30-sep-2008/#comment-2407

Thanks ;)

http://singaporedaily.net/2008/09/30/daily-sg-30-sep-2008/#comment-2407

I found this in the Singapore daily

A tribute from Malaysia
http://www.abinesh.com/delirium/posts/tribute-to-j-b-jeyaretnam/

That last quote from Jacob George says it all. In the end, the Great Man gave everything – everything – for what he believed. He ended up having to live with his eldest son, Kenneth, after having been bankrupted and viciously demolished.

Yet, he stands proud and righteous before God.

That, I suspect, is all that matters to JBJ – to be able to live with one’s conscience and say to God eventually, “I gave of my all.”

Thank you, Uncle Jeyaretnam. My eyes fill with tears as I write this.

Rest in peace.

Siaosiao, I understand how you feel, my tears were also dropping as I was writing. I may not know Mr JBJ in person. But I had the opportunity in December 2004 to purchase his book at Centrepoint. I shook his hand, he smile to me and asked me whether I wanted his autograph. I was more than happy to get his autograph and his book. JBJ, a true hero, a selfless person who sacrified a large part of his life in speaking up for the people. He deserve a rest, may he join his wife in heaven. May his dream come true one day. JBJ, The True And Selfless Son Of Singapore, we will miss you dearly.

A tribute to JBJ on my blog as well.

5) Kung Fu Panda on October 1st, 2008 10.22 am
Taken from
http://singaporedaily.net/2008/09/30/daily-sg-30-sep-2008/#comment-2407

I feel this reserves to be in online citizen as a post. Until then, put this as comment
Really touching indeed…

——————————

IrCTP Says:
September 30th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

In recent days headlines screamed of delight over a “momentous” event in our country. It disregarded the snarl of the various problems brought about by road closures; the snide remarks made by some about how the tariffs for electricity were raised a day after the bright lights shone on brightly painted race machines; the lack of car crashes (are we morbid or what?); and the marks made by tyres – moving at high speeds – on the paved roads.

This is for a greater cause, they said.

Merely days after, an arguably more significant event passed in our country’s history. The normality of it all – akin to the day after 9/11, as people went on with their lives as though nothing happened – was in stark contrast to the fun and fanfare of days ago. The irony of it all was how the “momentous” event was held at an extended area of where greater historic event occurred in 1984.

A check in wikipedia would throw up many events that happened in 1984. While we had nothing close to the “futuristic, totalitarian regime” that George Orwell wrote in 1984, someone, somewhere on a little speck of an island went against all odds and created a mini-tsunami in the local political scene.

Throwing away a cushy job, this someone thought he could do something for his fellow man. Somehow, it probably became his “greater cause” and he spent the rest of his life fighting – at times all on his own – for a big group of people.

I would have loved to be at Anson at some period in 1981 or even 1984. However, I was too young then to be aware of the nuances behind the hammer logo or the more familiar “lightning” one. This was a bigger regret than meeting the man himself sometime in 2000.

Since he appeared on the scene and got on the wrong side of many things, he became a bit of a curious character among the citizenry. Being part of this citizenry, I could appreciate what drove them to avoid this man when he peddled his books. The scene outside Centrepoint many years ago was etched in my mind. Somehow it took courage to step into a metre-wide “no man’s land” separating him from the crowd – which moved at a snail’s pace due to the lack of space in front of the shopping centre.

“Hi. I would like to buy your book,” I muttered under the din of the weeknight traffic, wondering if I should have added a “Sir” after my “Hi”. It didn’t take me very long to become self-conscious as I could feel multiple pairs of eyes were looking at how a young adult was buying a book from a man many considered as a condemned character.

“Sure,” he replied with a smile. It felt more genuine than many I have seen plastered on posters come July every year.

“Would you like me to sign it?” he ventured to ask after accepting the ten-dollar note I passed him.

“Yes, please,” I muttered again as I felt waves of gazes falling on my back, making a weirdo out of me.

The man signed it. We shook hands and I went on my way, melting into the crowd while he started hawking his books with shouts of “Wake up, Singaporeans!”

I bought two of his books and on both occasions, it was outside Centrepoint. Since then, I have never seen him in person again and will never.

This morning’s news was a shocker. We knew and read of his attempts at resurrecting something – even at the grand old age of 82. There are some who took it for granted that he would be around for a while longer.

The passing of a great man would be glossed over soon enough because of the nature of modernity. I believe there are many who have never really appreciated his efforts, even if they didn’t agree with his intentions. Many would have cheered for the underdog in numerous Hollywood films and appreciated their relentless attempts in going against all odds. But when it came to this one man who was basically fighting for all, the day after his passing would be like just another September 12.

In the grand scheme of things, he might have made only the tiniest of dents but surely he cannot be faulted for his spirit in fighting for “the greater cause” he believed in. It was more intangible that the bright lights that shone a few days ago. However, it is his legacy that will eventually – through the passage of time – become the best argument for why he should be the true son, patriot and fighter of this country.

May you rest in peace, Sir Joshua.

I wish to borrow the words from acitizen7 to give my tribute to a person that I have learned to respect:

http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2008/10/tribute-to-mr-j-b-jeyaretnam.html

JBJ was one of the true blue Singaporeans who loved his country and died of his selfless convictions. He pushed forward for his ideals despite it not being popular with the masses. An inspiration. Rest in Peace.

[...] Bloggers’ tribute to JB Jeyaretnam, The Online Citizen [...]

[...] *other bloggers have expressed their thoughts more eloquently here. [...]

My deepest condolence to JBJ’ family.

I was a 17 year student in 1981 when JBJ won the Anson By-election. I was there at Gan Eng Seng Sec Sch that historic evening . It was a energising and emotional moment. I was proud that JBJ did the impossible. It gave me hope, taught me courage and inspired me belief in myself.

As I followed JBJ’s political life and watch him kicked to the floor time and time by the PAP through dirty and lowdown tactics, I never forgot the lessons I learnt from JBJ in 1981. I beleive JBJ also never forgot hope, courage and belief right up to the end of his days.

JBJ thank you for the valuable education.

Viva JBJ.

He’s a great fighter indeed.

I hereby pay my respect to this man, whose dedication to the People of Singapore is unequal among the men of so few against so many.

Rest in Peace.

JB Jeyaretnam,is truly a man , we will remember, so far I don’t see anyone in Singapore that give their comfortable zone to Voice out for those are living in Misery.
Though , he can live a Life fill with Riches by practising his profession, yet he literally chose to go back Home with nothing.

Mr Jeyaretnam, will surely goes back to his Heavenly Father with Everlasting Rewards!I do hope ppl in the World will learn from his attitude Sacrificial Love for his fellow citizen.Things in the World wil not last but Love Never Fails!
Utimately everyone will breathe to his Last!

Thanks, Mr Jeyaretnam for your Words and Deeds!
Joy of The Lord goes with You!

Ernest Twang

I am sad. WE Singapore have lost a great VOICE for the people.

Sir JBJ is truly a man of God, whom help fight for the enslaved Singaporean and the poor & oppressed. Though many are not able to officially come to openly show the support in the past years because of our enslaved status for fear of unemployment especially because when we are poor and for this we sincerely apologise. We have lost a great man on earth but the Heaven have gained a worthy citizen who had lived a life worthly of God’s love and praise.

Thank you JBJ, thank you and we will always remember you for your sacrifice you have made especially for the enslaved, poor and oppressed Singaporean.

Thank you for truly caring for God’s people. We respect and honor you, Sir JBJ.

Let not JBJ’s death be in vain, He fought for true democracy in singapore and was villified for it. Let not his ideals of freedom and justice, the right to agree to disagree and a society where every singaporean truly matters, not be forgotten. Let His Life of resolutness & steadfastness against all insurmountable odds, give us hope for the future.

May God bless this Great Soul!

“Perhaps its a lesson for all of us. That we will never be what we are without these opposition parties. They indirectly made Singapore into what we are today. Rest in peace, JBJ, Singapore is indebted to you.”

http://sunchair.blogspot.com/2008/10/passing-of-persistent-man.html

He is the one make PAP work hard. All singaporean will remenber him forever.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
- Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
With regard to the above quotation, I can say that Mr Jeyaretnam is one of the few good men. He stood by his principles to fight for us. He has injected real meaning to this famous quotation: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
My condolences to Kenneth and Philip and loved ones during this difficult time.
His passing is a great loss to Singapore. Let us remember Mr Jeyaretnam, Sir!

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke (1729-1797) With regard to this quote, I can say that Mr Jeyaretnam is indeed one of the very few good men. He stood by his principles to fight for us. His passing is a great loss to Singapore. Let us remember him.

We’ll always remember you, Mr Jeyaretnam, Sir!

Farewell JBJ and May the Lord Almighty God nurture you in His tender loving care. You had tough life here but you showed perseverance, courage, faith and wisdom. I admire you for you stood for what you believed in and showed lots courage and self believe. We can learn this from you.

My condolences to the family too and to all those who mourn the loss of “Few Good Men”.

Goodbye.

JBL,
Please do not die in vain. Please bring the old fart along with you because the old fart no longer has sparring partner of his generation. I’m sure you will win big when all things been equal in somewhere land. Your unselfishness spirit and unwaivering determination to fight for Singaporean will shame the old fart eternally. Your legacy will be remembered forever in the net whereas the old fart will be condemned on the net eterneally. Nothing in the mouthpiece MSM can save the old fart because nothing in MSM stay permanent as one day it will be shut down and long be forgotten.

Life is really unfair that righteous man need to go before treacherous man.

Farewell JBJ. May you RIP. Hope that you will continue to support and fight for us in heaven. Hope that Opposition force will someday be united and overthrown the bloodsucker treacherous force.

Farewell JBJ, may your soul rest with God and may all your years of tireless fighting for our rights return to God. It is time to take your well deserved rest and may God takes over this role and do what is necessary.
(Isaiah 57:2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.)
I thank God for sending you down to earth to do his purpose. You are so richly and abundantly blessed by God and you have transferred His blessing upon you to the poor and the lowly, to give them a voice and to speak on their behalf when their voices are too small to be heard. You suffered for a cause and we will remember that, so your fight will not be in vain and your good name will go down in the history of Singapore.
(Job 36:7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.)

my condolescent to JBJ.
i’ve nv bn concern abt politics, but when i read his profile, i’m overwhelmed by his persistent fight to re-enter politics despite several politically motivated defamation.
JBJ, u haf my respect..

Can some one help please? Can we stop the media craze at the Wake -Please let JBJ’s final days be respectful & peaceful – He deserves the most beautiful send off- please be sensitive. There must be some one who has he clout to stop the circus and care !

Mr. Jeyaretnam, I truly respect your courage to stand alone in a lions den. May there be more heroes like you. But the voting people of Singapore must be just as couragrous to show their support..

The one and only father who fought all the way for human rights has left this sinful earth. He has lost everything for the people and still wanted to fight for justice at this age. I’ve never seen such a man in all these years. HATS OFF SIR. May God Bless Your Kind Soul. We Singaporeans must be proud to have a Father like him who didn’t give up till his last days. I hope the government will do something for the young generation and the upcoming generation to know who was JBJ. He was defeated but he is always Singapore’s number one HERO. And the best thing about him is, being nailed down so many times, he didn’t migrate or went low profile. He was still standing strong. Dear Sir, I’ll company you till the last rites.

a man who do in his ways and against a group of BIG pp which alot of pp don dare to do it…!!!

how brave it is..

i totally respect it..

let the young generation do it…and others group of pp which support u…

WE will dO to change SING society,,,and SUCCESS…!!
FROM
@young generation@

[...] the outpouring of kneejerk heartfelt euologies with the passing of JB Jeyaretnam and the posthumous decoration of a stalwart to the point of him being a de facto national legend is perhaps a bit too much, or [...]

If we really appreciate what JBJ stood for, exercise your vote wisely the next time. He will be smiling from Heaven if we do.

My salute to you Great Hero. Since the early seventies you were already the peoples hero, championing for the poor and underprivilaged. I remember those times when you were trodding through muddy kampongs in Radin-Mas to reach the commoners. When you won Anson I wrote to congregulate you.
I am now writting again to pay my last respect to you.
May God be with you Sir and Rest In Peace.

May your soul rest in peace JBJ! God will welcome you to his heavenly abode with these words “Well done good and faithful servant!”

Joshua Benjamin Jeyaratnam was the most courageous and heroic political fighter of modern day Singapore. He proved that PAP is NOT invincible !!!

To me, the likes of surgeon-turned-minister, lawyers-turned-ministers, rear-admiral-turned minister, can never ever measure up to him.

Simple reason – JBJ is worth much more than million-dollars-salary-a-year yes-mans.

What he sacrificed for many many unaware Singaporeans is worth more than gold.

I am your neighbour from Malaysia. My deepest condolences over the passing of JB Jeyaretnam. Singapore has lost a fighter who was courageous, out-spoken, passionate and deeply caring. What a sad day….. He was among the dying breed of men with integrity.

I am just as grieved as any Singaporean who who supports this man and his ideals.

JBJ, I’m a great admirer of you. I strongly belief in your ideals. I can immitate your voice too. My friends will attest to it(their rating 9/10). Thats how much I look up to you. Your demise has opened the pandoras box -for many people to think out of the box and not being trapped in it. Your were the father of all opposition in S’pore. Your victory at the Anson by election in 1981 was the turning point in opposition politics in S’pore. Your demise will be another turning point in opening up many people’s mind to speak up and speak up without fear from now on. I always remember your last few words at the formation of your Reform Party inauguration dinner speech which I happen to watch over the Youtube, “I fear nobody except GOD! (You reminded me of Mahathma Gandhi). During the Press Conference Q&A session you quoted Abraham Lincoln,” the government of the people, for the people and by the people”. On the whole JBJ, this is my personal observation, you are the embodiment of Mahathma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. You will go down in WORLD HISTORY as a matyr.In the coming years not only Singaporeans but people from all over the world will read JBJ’s ideals and aspirations with awe, amazement and with profound respect that such a man existed in this little red dot known as Singapore. JBJ your legacy will live on. I attended your wake and I will be there on saturday to send you off. May your soul rest in peace. God Bless JBJ!Hail To the Warrior, Fighter and the true LION of Singapore!

I remember…..

on a positive note Mr. JB Jeyaratnam has been a great inspiration to many Singaporeans in many ways:

Though he is not a Singaporean by birth, he has managed to weather all the hardship and disgrace and stood by his principles and fought for the human rights for his fellow Singaporeans and continued to live in Singapore till his last breath. He is indeed A GREAT SON OF SINGAPORE which history should remember forever.

And as being a prominent lawyer and a famous opposition leader in a materialistic place like Singapore, I have never seen or heard of him being very selfish or greedy over the 5Cs, etc. I believe he only lived with 1C and that is COMFORT. He lived comfortably with whatever God has given him. Indeed he had been very noble to that nature.

Also, I will always remember Mr. JB Jeyaratnam as a great fighter who may have lost a few battles but won many hearts from all over the world…..by being a HERO to ZERO to HERO again by forming a new political party at his ripe old age. I admire his true grit and obstinate passion.

Mr. JBJ may not be one of the founding fathers of Singapore but definitely he is thee Godfather of all the Opposition parties in Singapore. Let’s salute.

I also vaguely remember reading somewhere that Mr. JBJ was the best man for the Minister Mentor’s wedding in 1950. But I am not sure how true this was.

Lastly, from the Straits Times newspaper, I also read that Mr. JBJ studied in St. Andrew’s School…..motto: Once a Saint, Forever a Saint…..UP AND ON

Dear Sir, Mr. Joshua Benjamin Jeyaratnam,
May you soul rest in peace.
GOD BLESS !

Noble warrior you deserve a Viking’s funeral! For us, you are and will remain the man from Anson; the man who spoke truth to power. The establishment has tried to dismiss you as ‘obsolete, a man who times has passed’, but little do they suspect that they are out of step with the times and at the evening of their own passing. Rest in peace. Your name will not be forgotten!

My posts have been CENSORED; ie removed.

So much for accepting alternate views which are NOT racially, religiously or culturally offensive.

Rather just whining, ranting, reminiscing and all those useless diatribe, put your money and effort where your words are by joining or supporting JBJ’s Reform Party.

RIP to the true Singapore Patriot who fought for the Singapore people and for the country.

Dear Bohboh,
Perhaps you can put in another post tactfully?

Did MM Lee attend the wake?

The best condolences the Lees and Goh and the PAP could give to JBJ is for the old Lee to attend the wake and service of JBJ (to show how gracious he is, which he obviously is not), go down on their knees before JBJ’s dead body to pray for forgiveness and return all the money that they have gotten from JBJ to a charity.

Simply, the greatest Singaporean of his time.

When the rough and ready sorts have been sent their way, when the scent of freedom matters more than the sniffing about for money, he shall leave behind all his tormentors in the ash heap of history.

Does anyone remember the Roman Emperors during Jesus’ time?

Hi Friends
Please records your comment on the condolences book for JBJ.
http://www.obituaries.com.sg/index.php?option=com_obituaries&Itemid=3
cheers

My sincere condolences to his family and other loved ones. I had only one ocassion to meet Mr. Jeyaratnam, and that was when I saw him selling his book along Orchard Rd. Most people were walking past him without a moment’s glance. And so I went and bought the book, and took the opportunity to shake his hand and thank him for all of his work in Singapore. It was telling that even my close friend who was with me choose to stand far away from us while I engaged with Mr. Jeyaratnam. It is sad when fear stops us from doing the right thing. I hope that all of Mr. Jeyaratnam’s struggles will be not in vain in the long run., that his actions serve as a reminder to our conscience.

http://worldlymuslimah.blogspot.com/2008/10/rest-in-peace-mr-jb-jeyaretnam-true.html