J. B. Jeyaretnam

Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam (also known as JB Jeyaretnam or JBJ ) (* January 5, 1926; † 30 September 2008, Singapore ) was a Singaporean politician and lawyer. As a politician, he was from 1971 to 2001 leader of the Workers' Party of Singapore ( WP) and won in 1981 as the first opposition politician since independence Singapore a seat on the Singapore Parliament. Throughout his career as a politician Jeyaretnam became repeated with the Singaporean justice in conflict, which resulted as a result of an expensive libel judgment for personal bankruptcy Jeyaretnams 2001. After the completion of his insolvency Jeyaretnam founded in June 2008, the Reform Party, headed since his death by his son Kenneth Jeyaretnam.

Childhood and education

Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam grew up in a Tamil family in Sri Lankan origin and was brought up Anglican. After completing his schooling at St. Andrew 's School Jeyaretnam began studying law at University College London.

Political career

In the aftermath of the secession of Singapore in 1965, the People's Action Party (PAP ) took political control and won from 1968 to 1981 in all elections, all constituencies. 1971 he was with a group of lawyers who Jeyaretnam at this time quite insignificant Workers' Party and was Secretary General of the WP. After several defeats in the constituencies Farrer Park ( 1972), Kampong Chai Chee (1976 ), Radin Mas (1977 ), Telok Blangah (1979, 1980), we were finally able Jeyaretnam at the election of 1981 in the constituency of Anson with 52% of enforce votes against the PAP candidates Pang Kim Hin ( 47 % of the vote ) and to become the first opposition politician a seat on the Singapore Parliament. This success could Jeyaretnam repeat with 57 % of the votes against the PAP candidates Ng Pock Too 1984.

Two months after his re-election Jeyaretnam of the misrepresentation of the party 's assets was indicted, but was in all points In the action down to an acquittal by Senior District Judge Michael Khoo reach. Subsequently, the prosecution went in revision and the case Jeyaretnams was renegotiated on the express orders of the Attorney General to another district court, which found him guilty on all counts. The verdict - a three-month prison sentence and a four-digit fines - meant that Jeyaretnam was unable to compete in parliamentary elections during the next five years and had to give up his parliamentary office. Furthermore, it was deprived him of his right to license. Since the case was negotiated to a district court, the judgment it was not for Jeyaretnam possible to plead in higher instance. Then he made use of his right, the judgment before the Privy Council of the United Kingdom to challenge the verdict which annulled in 1988. Despite the acquittal of the Privy Council, the judgment of the District Court in Singapore remained in force until 1991 and Jeyaretnam could compete again in elections.

After his parliamentary lock had expired in 1991, succeeded Jeyaretnam in 1997 again for a seat in parliament to run, but he lost in the by-elections in Cheng San against the PAP. Since the opposition parties, however, had gained in the elections only two direct mandates and state them a third district free mandate, this WP was offered, which then chose Jeyaretnam in parliament. After the elections of 1997 eleven libel suits against Jeyaretnam were filed because he - had the reputation of the person concerned at home and abroad damaged severely - the plaintiff Goh Chok Tong. Here, the charge related to Jeyaretnams statement at a support speech for his colleagues Tang Liang Hong in Cheng San, that " Mr. Tang Liang Hong presented to me just two reports he with the police against - you know - Goh Chok Tong and his group has put forward. " J. Rajendran trial judge was in the subsequent process Jeyaretnam guilty and sentenced him to a fine of S $ 20,000. Goh described then the amount of the fine as " ridiculous " and went into revision. The erfochtene in the audit judgment increased then the amount of the penalty to S $ 100,000 S $ 20,000 plus on process costs.

After Jeyaretnam in 2001 could not pay an installment payment of his fine, he was forced to declare personal bankruptcy. Since it is insolvent persons not allowed a seat in parliament being the holder, Jeyaretnam had to give up his seat and lost his license as a lawyer again. In October 2001, Jeyaretnam then finally gave up his post as General Secretary and was replaced by low Thia Khiang. Shortly after his resignation as Secretary General, he also left the Workers ' Party.

To pay off his debts, sold Jeyaretnam copies of the books written by him Make it Right for Singapore, which contains some of his between 1997 and 2000 held in parliamentary speeches, and The Hatchet Man of Singapore, which describes the course of its processes. A 2002 incurred documentary called A Vision of Persistence on the life Jeyaretnams was withdrawn as a competition entry for the Singapore International Film Festival, after the makers - lecturers at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic - had learned that under the little-known film Act any films that the current political situation in Singapore comment, are prohibited. A Vision of Persistence was the first film to be applied to the film of the Act threatened.

2004 tried Jeyaretnam at the Singapore Court of Appeal a reduction in the total S to reach $ 60,000 he owed the eleven plaintiffs since the judgment of 2001. For this proposed Jeyaretnam before one-third of the amount owed to pay off after he had until now only slightly more than S $ 30,000 paid off the fine. The court accepted Jeyaretnams request a second time to help society and succeeded him in May 2007 after being paid off by S $ 233,255.78 out of bankruptcy. In September of the same year Jeyaretnam got back his license to practice law.

His political career Continuing Jeyaretnam announced on 18 June 2008 that the Registry of Societies of founding a new party, the Reform Party, had agreed to its general secretary he would be. His intention as a candidate of that party to compete in upcoming elections but was not subsequently realized short time because of his death.

Death

On 30 September 2008, Jeyaretnam complained of shortness of breath early in the morning and was then driven to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The doctors there but it was not possible to revive the now unconscious 82 -year-olds. The official cause of death heart failure was observed. On his death was followed by a series of obituaries, including the Guardian, the Economist and the New York Times.

In the Office of the Secretary General of the Reform Party by his son Kenneth Rejaretnam followed.

Personal

Joshua Jeyaretnam was married to Margaret Jeyaretnam, with which he two sons - Kenneth and Philip Jeyaretnam - has.

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