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A Memory Lasts Forever.., A Tribute To JBJ Once in a Lifetime Leader

Lumpar

Alfrescian
Loyal
A million words wouldn't bring you back. I know because I've tried. Neither would a million tears. I know because I've cried!
 

GoldenBellShield

Alfrescian
Loyal
I visited Mr. JBJ for one last time at his wake this evening. For a good 3 minutes, I stood in front of his photo in remembrance of this great man who sacrificed years of his life for the the good of the nation.

The only words revolving in my mind was "thanks". That was all I could said. After years of following the news of Mr. JBJ and complaining about our government, I have done nothing. Apart from purchasing a party newsletter, participating in election rallies, I did nothing for what I believed.

I am scared. I still am. I wouldn't dare sacrifice my career for my passion and belief, that Singapore must be free, that Singapore is my home too, and I have the rights to fight for what I believe. I would rather Mr. JBJ, Dr. Chee and his team do it for me.

I was selfish, and now I am thoroughly ashamed of myself. A great man is gone, and we are now one step further from our dreams and I still do not have the guts to stand for my belief.

I am sorry sir. Forgive me for not being able to carry on the legacy you left behind. I am sorry. But rest asure that your spirits live on and you will not be forgotten. Your name will be rememberd for generations to come, for being one of the founding fathers of a free Singapore when the day comes.

Thank you Sir.
 

Ah Hai

Alfrescian
Loyal
JBJ is laid to rest; salute to an inspirational life


Today, J B Jeyaretnam is laid to rest after a long struggle for democracy and human rights in Singapore. Looking back, we can now see what an inspirational life he led, his principles and idealism shining forth like a beacon.

Hopefully, there will be others who will rise to accept the baton and continue the race. In years to come, the legend of JBJ will be narrated to future generations of Singaporeans, who will come to regard him as one of the island republic’s greatest heroes in the fight for democracy and freedom.

Aliran President P Ramakrishnan has issued a moving media statement, paying tribute to this giant of a man.

JBJ - A man of honour and intergrity


Today Singaporeans will bid farewell to an iconic symbol of a fighting spirit that had stood up for democracy and human rights, paying every price that was extracted from him!

We were saddened to learn of JB Jeyaretnam’s demise in the early hours of Tuesday, 30 September 2008. JBJ, as he was fondly referred to, succumbed to a heart attack bringing to an end a life that reflected an indomitable spirit and a formidable fortitude that helped him to stay the course.

He gave up what could have been a successful career on the bench to enter the rough-and-tumble of Singapore’s political life with zeal and energy. Right to the end he remained a fighter, a great warrior for democracy and human rights. He embodied valour and virtue in fighting for a cause he believed in passionately.

He stood proudly and bravely with the ordinary people, championing their cause and on many occasions representing their interests without payment. He was there for them – all the time.

The picture that remains in my mind goes back 27 years ago towards the end of 1981, when he won the Anson by-election. The Anson seat was vacated by C V Devan Nair, who went on to become President of Singapore. That history-making victory broke the stranglehold of the PAP on Singapore’s politics.

When the results were announced that night, a visibly emotional JBJ hugged his son and whispered, “We did it, son.” It was a poignant moment that he would have very much wanted to share with his wife, Margaret. But she passed away the previous year without being part of the victory - but she was very much part of his struggle.

He was a consummate politician who had to go through so many political hurdles during the many years when he waged a long and lonely battle against the PAP to secure space for democracy and human rights. The mighty PAP gave him one hell of a struggle. They bankrupted him with many defamation suits which they won, with hefty awards crippling him financially.

He lost his property, he lost his legal practice, he lost his wealth. But he never lost his sanity or his fighting spirit. That was the measure of this great man.

All he had was his unbending will and a determination to stand up for what he believed in. Any lesser man would have thrown in the towel – but not JBJ!

He peddled his party organ, The Hammer, and his books on street corners to raise funds to free himself from bankruptcy. Many, out of fear, avoided him on the streets. Even the bookshops dared not stock his books for sale. It was such a pity that he had to struggle against all odds and all alone.

We are happy that he finally cleared himself from bankruptcy in July 2007 - in spite of strenuous opposition to block him - and died an honourable man.

When he launched his new party, the Reform Party, in July 2008, he remarked, “I’m not being dramatic but I haven’t got many more years.” Little did he know that he barely had three months of his life left!

In his concluding remarks, he urged the gathering,"Come, walk with me, let us walk together... for peace, justice, truth... fearing no one except God,"

We may not be able to walk with him but we can certainly walk in his path and keep his spirit alive.

Farewell, JBJ. May your great soul rest in peace.

P Ramakrishnan

President

4 October 2008

http://www.aliran.com/index.php?opt...-honour-and-integrity&catid=54:2008&Itemid=11
 

Ah Hai

Alfrescian
Loyal
A fighter to the end


Insight Down South
By SEAH CHIANG NEE

J.B. Jeyaretnam’s passing may have left a void in the political scene, but it could also be a rallying point for Singaporeans hankering for change.

THE passing away of one of the two surviving grand old men of politics, opposition leader J.B. Jeyaretnam, has left a void in Singapore’s stirring political scene.

When he died of heart failure on Tuesday, the fiery lawyer was 82 - three years younger than Lee Kuan Yew, his erstwhile foe in scores of battles in the last 25 years.
R.I.P: Veteran opposition leader J.B.Jeyaretnam passed away on Tuesday from heart failure.

It has left the opposition without a potential rallying figure and vote-winner at a time when politics — still largely dormant — is beginning to stir.

Young Singaporeans hankering for political change were hoping that the old warrior could inject some life into the opposition (which won 33.3% of the votes in the last election).

Jeyaretnam’s departure has, however, not ended Singapore’s first post-independence generation of leaders. That will come when the other icon — Minister Mentor Lee — leaves.

But unlike Jeyaretnam, who refused an operation for cardiac complications, Lee enjoys relatively good health.

Recently, he talked of his mortality, saying he might not survive beyond 94, the age at which his father died. That will be nine years from now, and is, of course, not a prediction.

The fact is no one really knows whether he will, or will not, step down even earlier. At any rate, Lee remains the last man standing among his generation.

Both Jeyaretnam and Lee shared several things in common, though the Minister Mentor with a higher national record would probably not like the comparison.

There was no love lost between the two. In the aftermath, Lee maintained an air of silence, sending no messages (at the time of writing) of condolence.

Both were brilliant students at Cambridge where they each graduated with a double first in Law. They were gifted men in their own right.

Both started off as lawyers and ended up in politics — Lee as Prime Minister of a self-governing Singapore in 1959, and Jeyaretnam 16 years later when he became leader of the Workers Party.

In different ways, they both played a major role in the country’s history and served as an inspiration to their respective followers.

Both men were great debaters who could put today’s younger politicians in the shade. They had plenty of practice during an era when politics really meant slugging it out toe-to-toe.

But the comparison ends here.

Lee eventually won and succeeded in transforming Singapore into what it is now, while Jeyaretnam — after serving as Senior District Judge — fought him and lost, and kept on fighting and paying a heavy price.

Despite being frequently prosecuted, fined (total: S$1.6mil [RM3.7mil]), jailed and bankrupted on politically-related charges, Jeyaretnam fought on to the end.

As leader of a newly-formed Reform Party, he was seeking re-election to Parliament when he ran out of time.

His departure has highlighted several factors.

First, it brought out a surprisingly strong outpouring of emotions from many ordinary Singaporeans, including youths, despite his being painted as “destructive”, “wild-behaving” and “trying to tear down the system”.

The greatest loss is felt by lower-income people who feel left out by “elitist” policies that cater more for profits than their welfare.

This class of people regards Jeyaretnam, a long-time socialist, as someone who genuinely cared and was ready to fight for the ordinary folk, especially the poor.

Second, Jeyaretnam was perceived in some quarters as the best person with the courage and experience to confront the PAP and bring about political reform, something the mainstream opposition largely avoids.

Singaporeans who want freer politics viewed him as the “Man of the Hour” when the poor and suffering needed a representative figure.

Others, however, are taking a more realistic view.

“I’m happy to see him get proper recognition,” said an elderly admirer who believes that Singapore politics is so lop-sided that Jeyaretnam would not have made a major difference.

“It may be unkind to say this, but I think his passing would have a bigger long-term impact than if he had fought on.”

He felt that the memories of Jeyaretnam’s exploits and courage would continue to inspire Singaporeans to leave their fear behind.

“The Internet and The Speakers Corner will make sure he will be remembered,” he added.

The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) is beginning to run into more resistance while governing this new society with changing aspirations.

However, it retains many weapons and is willing to continue to use them to keep the opposition in check and to win elections. As a result, the fractious opposition parties have only a nominal role to play.

The fortunes of these parties at any election still rest mainly on how the voters feel towards the ruling PAP at the time.

If they’re unhappy, the PAP’s votes will drop, and the opposition’s percentage will rise — and vice versa.

It is, of course, occasionally influenced by the presence of a charismatic campaigner, like Jeyaretnam on several occasions when he pulled off shocking wins in his constituency.

But this was never extended nationwide.

After nearly 50 years in office, the PAP is finding out that the longer it remains in power, the tougher the going.

Its biggest threat now is the looming economic recession and high (unbearable to many) cost of living, which could dramatically cut into its strong “heartland” support base.

The other pressure will come from critical Internet-savvy professionals, whose impatience seems to be growing.

From their midst may emerge one day a new leader or leaders to fill the void left behind by J.B. Jeyaretnam.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/4/focus/2178783&sec=focus
 
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