Oct 04, 2008 04:30 AM
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As Singaporeans got richer under the rule of the People’s Action Party, Joshua B. Jeyaretnam got poorer opposing it.
The PAP has governed Singapore since 1959. Though it holds elections, its electoral system makes opposition success nearly impossible. But grateful for the PAP’s astute economic stewardship — per capita income rose from $512 (U.S.) in 1965 to $35,163 in 2007 — most Singaporeans are content with its continued rule.
Not Jeyaretnam, a British-educated lawyer who became one of the city-state’s few prominent pro-democracy activists.
In 1976, Singapore’s prime minister sued Jeyaretnam for defamation over a campaign speech. When Jeyaretnam lost, he sold his house and moved into a rented apartment. In 1981, running for the Workers’ Party, he became the first opposition politician to win election to Parliament. He was re-elected in 1984. But he lost his seat in 1986, when he was convicted of mishandling party funds and disbarred. (Britain’s Privy Council overturned the disbarment; its Law Lords declared him not guilty.)
In 2001, Jeyaretnam lost another suit to government leaders. The damages drove him into bankruptcy, and he was disbarred again. He began selling his books on street corners.
He estimated, he had paid out more than $900,000 in defamation-related costs.
His struggle made little headway: Today, the PAP holds 82 of 84 parliamentary seats, and it continues to limit speech and abridge civil liberties. To the end, however, Jeyaretnam retained his optimism. He announced in April that he would run again in the next election. “We are just beginning,” he said.
He died Tuesday, of heart failure, at 82.
