Former opposition MP and former Secretary-General of the Workers' Party, Mr JB Jeyaretnam died early yesterday morning due to heart failure. He was 82.His son Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam said that Mr Jeyaretnam, who had a pre-existing heart condition, had complained of breathing difficulties at about 1.30am. He was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital but doctors were unable to revive him. He passed away with his family by his side. A lawyer, Mr Jeyaretnam was the first opposition member to win a Parliamentary seat in 15 years when he defeated the People's Action Party's Pang Kim Hin and the United People's Front's Harbans Singh in the Anson By-Election in 1981. He left the Workers' Party in 2001, and in July this year, had launched a new party called the Reform Party. Mr Jeyaretnam leaves behind two sons.
I have seen Mr Jeyaretnam a few times before, although I do not know him personally. Each time he was giving out political newsletters and flyers to passerbys. Always he was around the area of Anson, Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place. At his age he still stood steadfast by his political beliefs and fought till the end for the democracy of Singapore. A voice for the people. It was a lone cause and quite a number of heart-stopping moments in his life with this fight.
Rest in peace, JBJ.
isn't it sad that the people, the press and local politicians chose to pay attention and tribute to him only after his passing ?
ReplyDeleteyou've got to admire the guy though-2 grown up, high flying sons to reply on, and he still chose to stood up for the people.
it's just sad that he couldn't last to the day when the opposition will finally win even more seats in the parliament. Guess that's not gonna happen any way.