20. J.B. Jeyaretnam: Power puncher
A titan in Singapore’s minefield of opposition politics, the late Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam, more commonly known as JBJ, worked relentlessly for democracy for almost 40 years before his death at 82 years of age in 2008.He was the first opposition politician to become an elected Member of Parliament in 1981-86 and served again as a Non-Constituency MP in 1997-2001. But a series of libel and bankruptcy suits against him crippled his political abilities. Shortly before his death, finally cleared of bankruptcy and determined to re-emerge in the political scene, he set up the Reform Party, which is now headed by his son Kenneth Jeyaretnam.
“My father demonstrated to Singaporeans that democracy means the right to change your government if you are not satisfied with it,” says Jeyaretnam. “His legacy lives on in the Reform Party. Our aim is to be in a position to form the government of Singapore … and this aim is enshrined in the Party constitution, which was written by JBJ.”
How would the late JBJ feel about this post-humous honor? “I am sure if he was still around,” says Jeyaretnam, “he would be pleased.” Full story
