The spirit of Anson will live on - Goodbye JBJ
Former opposition MP and former Secretary-General of the Workers’ Party, Mr JB Jeyaretnam, died of heart failure early Tuesday. He was 82 years old.
He was the first opposition member to win a Parliamentary seat in 15 years when he defeated the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) Pang Kim Hin and the United People’s Front’s Harbans Singh in the Anson By-Election in 1981.
I remember even as a child, how passionate and fiery this man was about his beliefs and how he cared for the people, even though I might not have completely understood the issues then.
It was always about the people. One never saw JBJ seeking self glory. If there is one thing about JBJ, it is that he had always fought passionately and fearlessly for what he believed was good for Singapore.
Mainstream coverage on JBJ’s death understandably talks about his bankruptcy and disqualification from practising law. Not so understandably, they do not touch on why he was forced into bankruptcy and how he was wrongfully disbarred and deprived of his seat in Parliament. I am not linking to these reports out of respect for JBJ, whom I believe, fought the good fight.
May you rest in peace, sir.
**
The editors and writers of The Online Citizen would like to express their deepest condolences to the family of Mr JB Jeyaretnam on his passing.
Mr Jeyaretnam has been a true son of Singapore. A man who fought for his beliefs and whose determination, perseverance, grit and relentless pursuit of what is right is an inspiration for all of us.
Rest in peace, JBJ.
We will miss you.
Join the In Memory of JBJ group here.
*update - The wake is at Mount Vernon, Upper Aljunied Road, Funeral Parlour 1. Time: 7pm onwards. The funeral will be on Saturday.
Sorry, I did not know him.
Well from you article, I am feeling deeply sorry for him!
The opposition has lost a determined fighter. My condolence and sympathy…. However, I’m sure JBJ in heaven would not want us to stop fighting the PAP. Let’s continue JBJ’s fight to stop the dominance of 1-party politics in Singapore. Let’s strive to bring true democracy to Singapore by encouraging Singaporeans to vote for pluralism in our politics. Feel free to join me to continue the fight at http://forums.delphiforums.com/3in1kopitiam/messages
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
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