Letter to PM Lee to honour Mr JBJ
Friday, 3 October 2008, 3:21 pm | 3,276 views
The following is an appeal from Dana Lam and Braema Mathi for support. They are calling on the Prime Minister and the cabinet to honour Mr Jeyaretnam.
Dear friends,
A letter has been sent to the Straits Time’s Forum page, addressed to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, drafted by Dana Lam and Braema Mathi, to ask that the government preserve Mr JBJ’s public-spiritedness and love of the law and, requesting the following two items:
- a professorial chair in the name of Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam be created in the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore and,
- a scholarship fund in the name of Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam for graduate studies in political science and/or constitutional law and/or civil society studies.
While the letter has been sent to the press already, there is an intention to continue collecting signatures and build up momentum. It’s likely that there are many more people who want to show their support but may not have known about this initiative.
I have reproduced the letter below, and am thinking that we can submit it together, collectively, with our signatures.
So those of you who are interested, you can either choose to send this letter on individually, addressed to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet via:
Email address: lee_hsien_loong@pmo.gov.sg
Mail: Orchard Road Istana Singapore 238823
Fax: 63328983(PM) 67324627(SM) 67345244(MM) 68356621(General Office)
OR, you can send me your name and I/C numbers (if Singaporean), to show commitment to the signature, or just your name and perhaps an address or email address (if non-Singaporean), and in a week’s time (deadline: 8 Oct, Weds, email: danalam@pacific.net.sg.) I will send the letter with ALL the signatures collected.
You can also start off your own little groups, collect signatures and then mail out.
The letter is below.
Thank you!
OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND HIS CABINET
2 October 2008
Dear Prime Minister & Cabinet Members
By all accounts, we have lost a figure of uncommon strength and conviction in Mr JB Jeyaretnam.
No matter which side of the political fence we stand, it is undeniable that Mr JBJ, as he will be fondly remembered, has fought long and hard for what he believed was good for Singapore and, good for Singaporeans.
Mr JBJ did all he could with all he could. In staying the course, he has undoubtedly performed a public duty as a citizen of Singapore and, amply demonstrated the public spirit, the commitment to country and, the “nation before self” maxim that the government has sought to propagate.
As Singaporeans we are proud that such a man as Mr JBJ walked among us. We appreciate the sacrifices Mr JBJ has made for his beliefs in serving the people of Singapore. We are equally proud that the government, in spite of its political differences, has acknowledged the same resilience and service to nation in Mr JBJ.
Mr JBJ is an icon – an individual who stood up to serve the country and who stood tall for his beliefs and principles. As citizens of Singapore, we hope that Mr JBJ’s public spiritedness and love of the law can be preserved in the following manner:
- a professorial chair in the name of Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam be created in the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore and,
- A scholarship fund in the name of Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam for graduate studies in political science and/or constitutional law and/or civil society studies.
We also humbly ask the government to further demonstrate its commitment to public spiritedness and active citizenry by taking the lead to provide the seed fund for the above honours for others to follow.
We look forward to your encouragement as we mourn the loss of one of Singapore’s outstanding sons.
Yours in good faith,
Dana Lam Yoke Kiew
Braema Mathi
Siew Kum Hong
Au Wai Pang
Manohar P Sabnani
Teri Teo Shiwen
Constance Singam
Cheng U Wen, Lena
Lim Siew Wai, William
Benedict Jacob-Thambiah
T Sasitharan
Stephanie Chok
Heng Hiang khng
Jacqueline Tan
Serene Yap
Paul Anantharajah Tambyah
————–
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As much as I have admiration and respect for our JBJ, I think calling for 1. & 2. in honour of JBJ, as drafted by Dana Lam & B.Mathi, is just undermining JBJ himself and the government!
I am sure JBJ would not seek ‘favours’ or to be’ accomodated’ by the very government he opposed from onset and neither will the government who fought
against JBJ’s western-style oriented political approach from onset.
JBJ who received his LLB in London and served short stints in the legal society here as Distrrict Judge, Registrar etc. does not alone garner a professional chair at the Law Faculty…let it known that JBJ, was more, a political fighter than an advocate, he fought to bring credible political opposition till his last breath which he failed….only history will honour JBJ’s political fighting spirit, no doubts!
On creating a scholarship in memory of JBJ, it has to come from ‘donors’, rich men who envied JBJ’s cause spearheaded by his two influential sons NOT from the government…I am sure JBJ will rest in peace wtihout any ‘help’ or ‘assistance’ from the government!
Even if you might be right, and it might be a lost cause to begin with, it helps in creating awareness. For who knows what the future holds? This effort might be something a non-PAP Prime Minister of Singapore might keep in mind when s/he steps up to the plate.
The creation of a professorial chair or fund doesn’t need the PM or govt’s consent.
Professorships and scholarship funds are often created by private donor. There is no reason why donors cannot be an ordinary citizen. After all, Mr Jeya was a man of the people.
Whilst I see some merits and reasons in the above post #1 by VS RAAJ, I also find the Suggestion to honour Mr JB Jeyaretnam a good proposal worthy of the supports of the people as well as the Government.
As can be seen from the History of His Life, JB Jeyaretnam had contributed almost His entire life to others though not all appreciate his styles, nor that everything he did were all agreeable to everybody. I personally, do not think he was able to get along very well with other oppositions, but this, in no way affects his personal sacrifices to others.
From the NATION WIDE OUTPOURING OF GRIEF to the PROPOSAL TO HONOUR HIM IN THIS ARTICLE, it is beyond doubt that SINGAPOREANS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE recognise Mr JB Jeyaretnam as a National Icon and that he deserves to be concretely remembered.
patriot
V S RAAJ ,
as much as I respect your view but at times one shouldn’t just “think too much” , and should go ahead and do the things first just like the gov. Trust intuition and view it as long term. After all, do you think PAP will last forever ? Or do you think that local universities will be forever beholden to PAP ?
Honour Mr Jeyaretnam in the university first, and just let the thing continues from its course. No one knows what happens tomorrow and in the future.
If the government want to publicise it to its advantage, let them be because the world already what kind of government and MSM we have here. If gov want to discredit and create publicity out of Mr Jeyaretnam, they can easily think thousands of ways to do it much to the unhappiness of the public. Nothing to stop those kangaroos anyway.
Mr Jeyaretnam’s contribution to Singapore must never be forgotten and what better way to honour a great man than through university and scholarship scheme. Seriously, I hoping too if all local universities honour this great and legendary man.
As the chinese says “As long as there is a mountain, one doesn’t need to be afraid of no coal to burn.”
How strange. You are asking a private individual to donate $ for a scholarship after JBJ is dead, but when he’s alive, where are there no such campaigns to raise $ for him to settle his bankruptcy charges?
#Merv
I totally agree with you…nothing much said or supported when JBJ was around but alot has been said, crusades and bickering after his sudden demise….what an irony!
He was in the streets selling his party news papers, most avoided him, some cross the road to avoid him, some too scared to buy having feared been captured in photos by his opposition etc etc and suddenly after his demise, everyone seems concern, caring, fighting for a cause etc etc–how people turn hypocrites is amazing!!!
Have a statue or bust of JBJ erected at Speakers’Corner as this is the most suitable location and serve the purpose of the site. Money can be collected from the public, those who admired him and Singaporeans who think that he deserves to be remember !
Obamaosama lah
“where are there no such campaigns to raise $ for him to settle his bankruptcy charges?”
Maybe it is the same reason why you didn’t donate in the first place ?
“Have a statue or bust of JBJ erected at Speakers’Corner as this is the most suitable location and serve the purpose of the site. ”
Good idea, I doubt any Pap’er will feel comfortable speaking there with JBJ’s glaring eyes staring at them.
HahA
Even the PM agrees, I don’t think the MM will agree to it. To Pap, JBJ is an obstacle, but to us Singaporeans , JBJ is a true hero and people’s MP. He is a humble person, he speaks fearlessly and that is what he is loved for.
A petition should be started addressed to the Prime Minister (or President?) to posthumously PARDON JBJ for the GRIEVOUS INJUSTICE inflicted on him for the convictions by the Singapore Courts for crimes which JBJ did NOT commit and to have the government COMPENSATE him for all his sufferings for the unjust and unwarranted persecutions.
They have sued JBJ before. After the successes they cannot do a U turn. This move puts them in an odd position.
Notwithstanding the above, why involve them and depend on them? The hatchet already did its job long ago - he paid a price that no man should pay. Anyone who is not willing to pay and have joined the other side had already done so.
Anyway I sense this move is more out of an outpouring from those who have felt much and now with a sense to do something equivalent to lionising JBJ’s name due to his sacrifice as the underdog.
This is inappropriate. For those who is not able to pay the price like JBJ and should not join the other side, I think it is better to remember JBJ’s name and foster or nurture democracy amongst the young people in an independent yet purposeful manner. It would also be more dignified.
Perhaps put up a permanent blog or website dedicated to JBJ to emphasis not so much the man and his unfortunate underdog role in S’pore but his faithful identification with the universal need for democracy due to the universal nature of man. No need for conventional form of memoirs that express achievement and ideology. This is a a different context and this move can also have an international exposure in a more cost effective and yet legitimate manner.
Sorry. A blog can also grow and evolve through inclusive engagement from a global audience. It will be valid and stand the test of time. Books get outdated. Either way, don’t end up ‘enshrining’ a name too early or just after. History will be the judge.
Once more sorry.
Let’s not misunderstand the historical roles of people from before and after Singapore independence. Somehow whatever happened has happened. Only those in that generation would have a better idea what really happened. Politics by nature is not pure and clean. It is because of human nature.
JBJ is great in his own right and his own manner. Whatever is desire for him after his passing away should be compatible and consistent. Find your own yardstick of success so to speak. In the end, we all have to face the Almighty. JBJ would have arrived there first. I am sure he wouldn’t cast the first stone. Let it be.
I wish that the late JBJ be honored as the Father of Liberation of Singapore.
Regards
Pinkie
Hi All,
I came across - A quote from Ryunosuke Satoro :- As they say. “Individually, we are one drop; Together, we are an ocean”. Whether it is PAP or Any other party …it is still the same strategy :- a one drop that come together to what it is today. Good initiative and a good start and make your life count today after all ” The length of our days is seventy years or eighty, if we have the strength”.
I think it will suffice that we continue to remember him in our hearts, actions and life. We can tell our future generations of the life of this honourable man, of how he lived out his convictions. He may have been derided and mocked by our national leaders, but that does not in any way diminish his self-worth and respect. On the contrary, most of us accord him greater respect than any national leaders, past and present, for the simple fact that he was one of us. He knew our struggles and challenges, and took the same whacks, only a lot more, from the Govt’s actions and policies.
Perhaps family of the late J.B. Jeyaratnam can continue to make his books available, and perhaps someone can compile his speeches and articles and make them available online. A book on the life and struggles of J.B. Jeyaratnam would have been a fitting tribute and memorial for this honourable man of uncommon courage. Those of us with blogs and websites can link to worthy articles on J.B. Jeyaratnam. When our future generations ask, we can tell them of this true hero and son of Singapore.
Yes, agree.
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 old Lee 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 set up the scholarship.
This is one stupid letter.
You are asking the people who bankrupted JBJ using politically motivated charges to honour him. This is disingenuous…and absurd. They not only bankrupted him,jailed him and then used the govt controlled media to humiliate him. LHL in his letter said that JBJ was “trying to destroy the system of government”. To LHL, JBJ is a destructive force not a hero or a man of honour…to the PAP, JBJ has no contribution to this country.
LHL will receive this letter and have a good laugh. His father wanted JBJ to crawl on bended knees. ……democracy, justice and equality has no place in Singapore Inc only money money money.
Kudos to Dana and Braema for this initiative.
Whilst this is a noble idea which I support, I tend to believe JBJ may not want this honour as he would rather identify himself with the grassroots and battle on without any accolades.
We should instead garner more expression of admiration for him and remember in other ways that I believe the PAP government would not be willing to do.
Anthony Yeo
used_to_support_PAP,
If any, it should serve as a reminder to them as to why so many people mourn the passing of JBJ, and what he stood for.
There’s some things you can never buy with economic success, or machiavellian politics.
The difference between donors paying off bankruptcy charges and funding a scholarship fund is as follows:
The former is to pay off personal debts. The latter is to ensure students get a future without being burdened by the cost education.
The latter is what a professorial chair and scholarship funds means by the way in case anyone doesn’t know what they’re signing up for…
Futile exercise of guilty citizens.
Where were you when he needed you ?
To all those who shunned him on the streets:
If you just think of him and what he stood for, for all the lonely years, before you put that cross on the ballot paper, that would be enough. You don’t even need to vote for the opposition. Just be aware of the choices you make, for yourself and your children.
I can only say this letter is an epitome of great great irony. Fancy asking the people who once put JBJ down in the first place to lift him up after the latter is dead and has no voice to fend for this outrageous request.
Nevertheless it is a good attempt. But I guess, it can only start and end as an attempt. First of all, because it will never be translated into concrete plans. Second, I wish it is only an attempt, because even if the request is fulfilled, I am very sure it is done in jest and out of tokenism for JBJ, whom I would like to think would resist such a ‘humiliating’ request.
Let JBB’s soul be free, why bind him still to the people who contributed to his mortal ‘predicament’?
I am sure there are other better ways to honour him than to go through the channels of the PAP-ruled government?
And let us all ask ourselves, on what account can we speak for JBJ and for what he desires? It is a complicated question that can never be answered for the protagonist himself speaks no more.
This is crazy! Pray for your miracle ! Ask JBJ’s family first.
It has been good riddance from the PAP point of view; nevertheless best wishes.
I would like to clarify that there was never any expectation of any miracle, I think you’ve gotten it all wrong.
The suggestion shows you people mean well but I have to say it is a little naive and too premature. I have no doubts that JBJ did what he did for the people and he would have been more than satisfied if only more citizens speak up and give their votes to the opposition. This is the first step to regaining our rights.
It was never about any glory for JBJ and he would not want this bunch of hypocrites in govt to honour him when they have been solely responsible for relentlessly putting him down.
The ultimate tribute comes from ordinary citizens and not the bloody govt. !
The way to show tribute to JBJ is for the citizens to take inspiration from his courage and conviction.
Eventually the citizens may see a new govt and then it would be ideal to formally honour JBJ.
Never give up………use the Late JBJ hammer, which he has Won for us in Anson. May the Anson Spirit continue to grow through the “One drop from each of us, Together we are not just an Ocean… but a Tsunami in time to come. It got to start from each one of us at the next ballot box !
Re : Letter to PM Lee to honour JBJ
While the intentions of those who are supportive of this initiative is undoubtedly well-meant, but hahaha - it’s the MOTHER OF ALL IDEALISM.
Do you know what it really really means, ‘when you want someone TO CRAWL ON ALL FOURS, ON BENDED KNEES’?
Please let me pose couple of questions to all these esteemed well-intent luminaries:
Have you ever asked anyone to crawl to you on bended knees??
Do you ever forever like to see, say your baby who only knows how to crawl, to crawl on bended knees and never wish him to grow up??
What is the BASIS for you, to ask ANYONE, to crawl to you on bended knees??
Please give these questions a thought EVEN when you dont need to answer - cos its already in your heart.
#24)
Singapore’s then highest Court - the Privy Council - ruled that JBJ had suffered GRIEVOUS INJUSTICE.
Only appropriate for that INJUSTICE to be put right…….it’s NOT about honouring a great patriot after his death.
um wait, you mean theres actually justice for political opponents in the first place?
get real lah. You want the government to acknowledge JBJ public spirit-ness & love of law , professorial chair NUS & scholarship fund ??? JBJ has always been opposing them, what is the chances looking at their past record of being gracious ??? Let waste our time for election 2011 for ‘real change needed’
He had balls of brass and a social conscience, when many S’poreans (self included) didn’t.
But deep knowledge of the law was not a strong point. So let’s forget about this chair of law.
On the scholarship issue, why ask the govmin? Raise it from the public and yr pockets. I’ll donate the odd $50 note.
I respect him but I’m glad he didn’t “demolish the PAP”.
And lest anyone think I am denigrating him, I bought his book from him and friends when he was hawking it at Raffles City MRT station. And shook his hand and thanked him for his actions.
I hope the petitioners did similar things (and more) when he was alive.
Oh and no-one knocked at my door at midnight.
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