Wednesday, October 1, 2008 9:39
Farewell, great JBJ
In Guest Writers, Main Stories, Top Story • 2,724 views • 15 Comments
Melvin Tan / Guest Writer
The very first piece of news that greeted my ears as I opened my eyes today was the demise of veteran opposition stalwart Mr Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam, or affectionately known as “JBJ”.
In that instance, shattered imagery of Mr JBJ’s unfulfilled political dreams came to my mind before I came to terms with reality.
Although I understood that his health had not been good of late, the news of his death came too sudden.
The former Member of Parliament for Anson (1981 – 1986) and Non-constituency MP (1997 – 2001), who passed away from heart failure early this morning, had been trying to stave off bankruptcy since 1997 – eventually succeeding ten years later – merely to earn the opportunity, technically, to return to the Singapore Parliament and represent the people once again.
1971 was the year Mr JBJ, then a district judge court, entered opposition politics with the formation of the National Party of Singapore shortly before joining and reviving the comatose Workers’ Party.
He was the WP’s secretary-general for an uninterrupted three decades until 2001.
After three GE and two by-election attempts, he clinched victory in the ward of Anson in the 1981 by-election, becoming the first opposition Member of Parliament in 15 years – breaking the PAP’s monopoly in the process – and in the 1984 GE, retained his seat.
However, he was found guilty by the courts over some party accounts matters and was struck off from Parliament in 1986.
The offence also barred him from contesting any elections for five years, which expired in 1991 – just after the GE was over in the same year.
In the 1997 GE, his team obtained the highest share of votes among defeated opposition candidates when his team contested in Cheng San GRC and JBJ resumed his presence in Parliament once again as an NCMP – until a civil suit by PAP leaders led to a bankruptcy and another disqualification before the 2001 GE.
Owing to this, he had to sit out the 2001 and 2006 GEs.
At 82, he had reinstated his legal practice after being discharged, established a new electoral vehicle – the Reform Party of which he is founder and inaugural secretary-general – and readied himself with only about three years to go before the next GE due in 2011.
There was even anticipation that he would lead a team in the Tanjong Pagar GRC to challenge his “arch-nemesis”, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, in a final face-off, as this could perhaps be the last GE he planned to run in.
But fate denied him even this little last opportunity and wish.
My first encounter with Mr JBJ was in 1999 when, as a political activist with the Think Centre, we worked together on a few political projects.
Subsequently, in the year 2000, we organised a “Save JBJ Rally” in Yio Chu Kang to raise money for his cause and I became one of the speakers.
While I had my occasional fair share of private criticism against the various aspects of his political approaches, he is undeniably one of very few men with the pugnacity and tenacity essential for the harsh political environment that is not conducive for opposition politics to progress.
Heartfelt condolences to his family and the two sons he leaves behind.
The elder, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, is a successful hedge fund manager who has worked in London, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
He recently returned to Singapore and through the social utility Facebook, he initiated contact with me to offer to fill in bits of information missing from the “J B Jeyaretnam Supporters” Facebook group that I had set up (the group has since been converted to “In Memory of J B Jeyaretnam”).
The younger, Phillip Jeyaretnam, is a Senior Counsel, former President of the Law Society Singapore and author of various novels.
Both being fine gentlemen, Mr JBJ should have no regrets.
He was widowed when his wife, Mdm Margaret Cynthia Walker, passed away in 1980 – not long before he was elected into Parliament.
Let us hope that he will meet her again and unite with her.
Mr JBJ may have had unfulfilled dreams like anyone else but, in my view, has achieved more than what he had originally set out to accomplish.
The author is a member of the Workers’ Party. This article was written on 30 September 2008.
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15 Comments
Singapore Patriot
panter92
Your deeds, memories and goal will be passed on by those who live.. Farewell, you have set the stage for many.. we will continue your fight for a fair and just society.
Its a sad day for even us in Malaysia!
RIP JBJ
http://www.abinesh.com/delirium/posts/tribute-to-j-b-jeyaretnam/
Daniel
There are two kinds of father: A true father and a step-father.
A true father love and educate his children and want to give the best to his children with the best environment to grow up with, both intellectually and morally. Despite the hardship and struggle he faces as he ages, he never complains because he knows his love for the children is his ultimate strength and that is where he find meaning in living.
and on the other hand a step-father hates the children that does not belong to him, and manipulate his non-owned children for his own gain and benefit, and treating him nothing more than a digit to sustain his selfish lifestyle. He suppress the information and give carrot to make sure children continue to obey him and do his binding. He give himself the ultimate wealth to his true children and family, while deprive his non-owned children of right and dignity.
So to JBL, the true father of Singapore,
I salute you and may you rest in peace. God has taken your life away because he knows that you have already work hard and completed your mission faithfully and earnestly, and pass the test with flying colours. Now it is up to the rest of Singaporeans …
chorus
May JBJ rest in peace.
I never knew too much about him up till now to be frank, but it is a sad day for Singapore to lose one of her most capable and loyal sons.
RIP.
Hj Abdul Haris Madon
Just two words for me to describe about the late Mr JB Jeyaretnam. NATIONAL HERO.
His fighting spirit all these years about what he believes and for the sake of Singapore’s true democracy has never been match by anyone else. He is the lion heart of Singapore. A patroit. A leader. A father. And….a friend.
Im proud that at least we have someone who who knows the needs of the people. Someone who cares. Really cares…
Mr JBJ, sir, my prayers will be always be with you. You have done aso much in your life and now its time for you to rest in peace. God loves you more than we do. But you will be always in our heart.
Majulah Singapura. Selamat bersemadi, Encik JB Jeyaretnam.
We lost a fighter, but the fight is still not lost yet because the fight is far from over.
PS: I like the mourning theme on TOC.
Hopeful
I came to know about Mr JBJ in 1984 General Election when he went to Potong Pasir to support Mr Chiam See Tong. I was a Potong Pasir boy. I was only a secondary three boy. Like many others, I was totally attracted by his and Mr Chiam’s speeches. He will earn my respect throughout my life. May the lagacy and spirit of Mr JBJ continues forever.
Haridas Pillai
We came to this world with nothing and will also bring nothing when we leave this world but you sir, have made a everlasting impression on me. I’ll remember you as “father of all opposition” and true leader.
We have lost one of the bravest and tenacious fighters for Singapore’s true democratic freedom (not the pathetic excuse of one that the LKY makes it to be). LKY and the Straits Times should be ashamed of taking cheap shots at such a nobel man even after his passing. Even with his sometimes controversial actions, Singaporeans should never forget what he has sacrificed in the name of protecting their rights.
He will be sorely missed.
On behalf of ALL Singaporeans, we SALUTE JBJ for his tenacity & fighting spirit in life.
May God bless him forevever.
Zack
Selamat jalan, JBJ!
You are indeed Singapore’s fighter for true democracy and human rights.
You will be missed.
Whitley-gate
He is just too great to be forgotten easily, never ever. Even after he is long gone away from us, but his deeds will live long, long enough for us to remember that PAP is not invincible – the Great Heroic JBJ has proved it.
Singaporeans stand up, JBJ stood tall. He paid the price for many many of us, and yet he never never drew a single salary to prove that he sacrifice unlike those who were trumpeted when we were told, gave up hugh salaries to serve. Nay to serve WHO, may I ask?
JBJ’s sacrifice is the most honerable and most courageous that any surgeon-turned-minister, lawyer-turned -minister, rear admiral-turned-minister and all the likes cannot, will not, and capable not measure up to him.
RIP, Joshua Benjamin Jeyaratnam.
P Chia
What else can one say ?
JBJ- you are true to yourself; to your God and you faith shines through.
You were in politics not for the money, not for fame, not to have a good good & futute, not to be in good books, not to have your face in the papers, not to angkat, not to seek attention, not to get independent directors jobs, not to claim credit during national day, not to be “patron” of sports associations, not to have retirement till death job security…….etc
You were there for the men in the street – the true blue Singaporeans who are stayers and pushed down 2nd class, with the slow feeling of relegation to 3rd class citizens vis a vis the mass influx of so called “talented” expats.
In life, the sacrifices you have made may have made you a financial holocust victim. In everything you do for us – you were in the front line – never hiding behind any system, pants or skirt; your courage and conviction make you an outstanding son of the soil which will see no peer in Singapore for the next 100 years.
In death, your family was made to suffer the indignity of wooden spoon condolences.
But like Mother Teresa, your rewards will be in heaven.
God bless and best wishes to all your extended family members.
[...] 我也本身认识的这位重量级人物，感到难过，而在网络公民的邀请下写了一篇致敬文章。 [...]
The dream lives on, now lets recite the pledge;
Singapore’s Pledge
‘We, the citizens of Singapore
Pledge ourselves as one united people
Regardless of race, language or religion
To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality
So as to achieve happiness, prosperity & progress for our nation”