A Tribute To JB Jeyaretnam

[jw5]

With my 12,000th post, I would like to pay a tribute to opposition politician JB Jeyaretnam.

JBJ is the only current or former opposition politician I have met and had a conversation with.
Several years before he died, I went to an opposition party election rally. He was there selling his books and I went to buy a copy from him. I gave him a $50 note to pay for the $20 book, he reached into his shirt pocket to give me change, but unfortunately, he didn't have it.
He asked his assistant to give me the change. She asked me whether I would like to donate the change, which took me aback a little.
JBJ immediately said "No, no, no, give the man his change" and his assistant smilingly did so.
Ok, perhaps I should have donated the change, but I was also a little tight for cash in those days. :o

We proceeded to have a short conversation about politics in Singapore and his experience as an opposition politician.

This man has been a thorn in the PAP's side all those years, because he not only criticised them, but never backed down. His mantra at one time was "Power to the people". Obviously, not the elites or any particular political party, but the ordinary people. Not afraid to be ostracised or criticised, not afraid of living a simple life in exchange for maintaining his principles. There were reports at one time that he was living in JB, and travelled each day across the causeway to his office.

He was said to be a little arrogant and cranky at times. But that's not how he came across when I met him. Whenever I remember the picture of him standing with his arm in a teapot posture in the midst of all the PAP MPs during parliamentary breaks, I can understand his reasons. Perhaps he was just being discerning.

You would never hear him say things like "If the PM says so, it must be so." Perhaps he should have been more conciliatory to make more inroads, but that was just not him.
The people and the voters came first, then politicians. May not have been the best in his understanding of economics and finance, but certainly a man with courage and conviction who put Singapore and Singaporeans first.
Dear sir, I salute you with my 12,000th post in SBF.

 

[Unrepented]

@jw5, to do the man a service, got to tell the younger generations his story. Drive and convictions :o

 

[zeebjii]

A wonderful post about a remarkable man. Met him at queen street taxi stand going to JB, really wanted to but lacked courage to speak to him as he looked a bit fierce. Regret, regret...

 

[erection2015]

congratulations jw on reaching your milestone. May you double your number of posts in 1 yrs time. :p

 

[Perspective]

I offer my tribute to him too. Feel unfortunate that the legacy of Jeyaretnams, should have ended with JBJ but continued with a KJ.

 

[glockman]

JW, good of you to offer this tribute to a great man.

Many years ago, before the cellphone became prevalent and when most of us only had a pager, I was at a public telephone booth in the lobby of Colombo Court building. There were about three to four phones in a row. While I was making my call, I could hear a familar baritone voice speaking perfect English in the next booth. He was instructing an assistant on some matters. I turned and saw the familar side profile and those mutton chop sideburns. It was JBJ! He finished as I finished my phone call. I turned to him, said "Mr Jeyaretnam, nice to meet you sir." And we shook hands. I think he said hi or how do you do and smiled, then turned to walk away as he appeared to be in a rush.

Years later, I bought two copies of "Make it Right for Singapore" from him. Of course he could not remember me. I still have his books, with his autograph dated 18 Mar 2002.

He was the lion of Singapore politics, and his passion for Singapore and love for the common man will never be forgotten.

 

[brocoli]

JB Jeyaretnam held back opposition cause and WP for many year with his lawsuits.

His greatest contribution was his protege, Low Thia Kiang
His worst contribution was his son, KJ.... PUI!!!!

 

[kukubird58]

hahaha....unfortunately, i don't think his sons shared the same admiration...
they could have easily got him out of bankruptcy to have a last shot at GE2006..
i think his biggest failure is to convince his sons to support his "lost" cause.....no slight to the man but just putting it as it is.

 

[wikiphile]

Great post, i had the chance to meet him in person many years ago while he was still the secgen of the WP peddling the Hammer in the heartlands. Nice man to talk to, his son however is another fish in another pond

 

[zeddy]

17 years ago I remembered skipping school and went to Orchard with my classmates.. Saw the great Man with his bushy sideburns at a taxi stand outside Robinsons.. I was young then oblivious and not that concerned about the political happenings in our country.. Followed my dad to the Opposition rallies in 1997.. That was the 1st time I attended a political rally and also the 1st time I saw the Great Man doing his rally speech.. After entering the working world, I began to read more about JBJ on the Internet.. He was indeed a Brave Lion sacrificing so much in his fight against the Mighty PAP Juggernaut.. He had suffered so many injustices at the hands of those Scums In White but yet he continued to fight against them till his last breath.. Thinking back now, I regret not coming up to him during that particular rainy afternoon 17 years ago to greet the Great Man and shake his hand.. A Salute to this great Son of Spore..

 

[nonsense]

Good afternoon everyone.