Opposition leaders pay tribute to Kenneth Jeyaretnam after his death

Leaders from across Singapore's opposition have paid tribute to Kenneth Jeyaretnam, secretary-general of the Reform Party, following news of his death on Saturday, 18 July 2026, at the age of 67.

His wife, Amanda Jeyaretnam, announced his passing on Facebook on Sunday, saying he died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by family. Tributes from fellow opposition figures followed over the subsequent days.

Lim Tean, secretary-general of the People's Alliance for Reform, said Jeyaretnam was a founding member and chairman of his party and a steadfast voice in Singapore's opposition for over a decade and a half.

In a statement, Lim said he came to know Jeyaretnam well from 2017 onwards, and understood that protecting the legacy of his father, the late J.B. Jeyaretnam, was the most important thing to him.

Lim said he admired Jeyaretnam for his convictions, particularly his belief in fighting for the underprivileged and those on the margins of society, adding that he never wavered no matter how unpopular a cause might be.

He said he had acted for Jeyaretnam as his lawyer until earlier this year, in defamation proceedings brought against him by Calvin Cheng, and knew that Jeyaretnam had been in poor health for some time.

Lim extended condolences on behalf of the People's Alliance for Reform to Jeyaretnam's wife, Amanda, and son, Jared.

Goh Meng Seng, former secretary-general of the People's Power Party, wrote that he first met Jeyaretnam at his father's funeral, and had met him numerous times since.

Goh said Jeyaretnam had repeatedly asked him to join the Reform Party, which he declined, saying the elder Jeyaretnam's legacy was too heavy a mantle for him to carry.

He described Jeyaretnam's writing on finance and economics as brilliant, though he said he had been cautious about sharing some of it for fear it could invite defamation issues under Singapore law.

Goh noted that Jeyaretnam had been issued POFMA correction directions on multiple occasions, and said he believed Jeyaretnam had been genuinely unwell in the period before he cited medical reasons for not returning to Singapore for a POFMA Office investigation.

Goh said Jeyaretnam had told him he was hospitalised multiple times during that period and held a doctor's certification advising against long-haul travel, and that some had unfairly accused him of making excuses.

He wrote that Jeyaretnam had, in his view, carried his father's legacy faithfully as a filial son, and wished him rest in peace.

Paul Tambyah, chairman of the Singapore Democratic Party, wrote on behalf of the party that Jeyaretnam was academically brilliant and had a sharp sense of humour, and had worked for justice and human rights.

Tambyah said Jeyaretnam had faced significant professional challenges as the son of J.B. Jeyaretnam but had carved out his own legacy as a champion of democracy in Singapore. He said he would miss Jeyaretnam's frank comments.

He extended condolences to Amanda and Jared on behalf of the Singapore Democratic Party.

Ravi Philemon, secretary-general of Red Dot United, said Jeyaretnam had devoted a significant part of his life to politics and public service, continuing a family name with an important place in Singapore's political history.

Philemon said anyone who steps into the political arena accepts a burden that few fully understand, and extended condolences on behalf of Red Dot United to Jeyaretnam's family, friends and colleagues in the Reform Party.

Leong Mun Wai, secretary-general of the Progress Singapore Party, described Jeyaretnam as a political gentleman who stood aside when it mattered.

Leong recalled that Jeyaretnam, as Reform Party leader, had agreed to step aside in West Coast GRC ahead of the 2020 General Election despite having contested and campaigned there in 2015, to avoid a three-cornered fight with the newly formed Progress Singapore Party.

He said the move had been pragmatic, and credited it with contributing to the Progress Singapore Party's two Non-Constituency Member of Parliament seats won at that election.

Leong said Jeyaretnam had believed democracy was healthier when different voices tested and probed power, and had done so directly, persistently and without apology. He extended condolences to Amanda and Jared, and to members of the Reform Party.