JBJ’s interview with FEER

Posted by on September 23, 2009 9 Comments

Mr JB Jeyaretnam passed away on 30 September 2008. The following is an interview he gave to the Far Eastern Economic Review before his death. In it, he speaks of the Workers’ Party which he agreed is a “docile” party, Singaporeans’ fundamental rights and Dr Chee’s civil disobedience campaign.

“If the people can’t do anything, what is going to happen to the country?” – JBJ

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9 Responses to “JBJ’s interview with FEER”

  1. John Moe 23 September 2009

    “We don’t have to wait for Lee to died.”

  2. rca 24 September 2009

    Low Thia Khiang is just another PAP MP wearing a different colour.

  3. Vote of No Confidence 24 September 2009

    This is where RP comes in. ;)

  4. I wonder 24 September 2009

    I wonder being the main leader in WP until his exit from it did our late JBJ saw or learnt or discovered something about the WP that we do not know of such that he feel so strongly that there is a need for Reform?

    peace.

  5. A Tan 24 September 2009

    JBJ wrong as usual

    The question should be “If the people are not willing to do anything, what is going to happen to them ?”

    Take the recent crusade for justice that TKL led for credit note investors

    11,000 investors affected
    5,000 – complained
    800 — signed petition in Aug
    200 — attended rally

    Result Crusade discredited — investors not interested

    And investors complain that distributors, govmin, public ignore them. Hey why shld anyone take can’t-br-bothered investors seriously

    Contrast with HK where minibonders protested weekend after weekend. Got settlement that only S’pore investors could dream of.

    Passivity and docility has a cost.

  6. OnlineShmonline 24 September 2009

    @5) A Tan on September 24th, 2009 7.15 am

    Truer words have not been spoken.

    I feel sad that our Singapore sheep are too used to the path of least resistance…”It’s too hard”, “They will say no”, “The MP is busy”…

    Instead of everyone coming together to show up for their beliefs, we’re too used to giving up on our beliefs.

    I wish this were not so.
    However, such apathy can be stopped. It starts with me. I know that I will have an impact on those around me. Perhaps we need more such mindsets coming out of the rotting woodwork? :)

  7. Anonymous 24 September 2009

    “Civil disobedience has a place… I am not against it, but time has not come for that…”

    Instead of waiting for Singaporeans to get “educated” which could take forever, leaders should lead the example of how to press forwards and overcome the fear. It is also a form of education by itself.