Mr J.B. JEYARATNAM
Mr J. B. Jeyaratnam
I had a shock when I took The Straits Times to read yesterday and saw the front page news that Mr Jeyaratnam had passed away. I was just talking about him a month ago, not to mention 15 minutes before I read the news.
I saw him once in 2005. I recall that I was on half day leave to do some stuff, and when I had finished I decided to stop at Orchard Road. I was coming out of Centrepoint when I saw him just in front of the building, a small table by his side and holding a book out towards passing people. I knew who he was then, but did not know what he was doing, which was selling his books to pay off his debts. People were just walking by him and no one stopped or glanced at him. Neither did I. My friend later commented that people were afraid to do so, despite probably knowing who he was, probably because of fear. As for me, despite knowing who he was, I minded my own business and since no one stopped or was talking to him, neither did I.
Years later, well, earlier this year, when I started to read up more about him in the newspapers, and learnt of his enthusiasm in setting up another party after being discharged as a bankrupt, despite his age, I really regretted not going up to him, just to say hi. And I regret it more so now that he has passed on. Reading up the many tributes to him, I realise that I am not alone in this regret.
It is sad to realise that a lot of people thought that he did have good in him and spoke up about it only after his death, but then again I can be considered one of them. I had long wanted to post my encounter with him at Centrepoint but was afraid in doing so lest I be thought of supporting the opposition, when all I wanted to do was express my regret in not acknowledging someone who was and has played a part in the history of Singapore politics, and who was right in front of my nose – i.e. I had the chance to meet someone like this. How often would you see someone like this on the streets and could go right up to him.
Anyway, I pray that he gets to go to heaven, coz I do believe he was a good man and he did genuinely care for Singaporeans. And c’mon, his drive, tenacity, will and enthusiasm, all these despite his age and whatever setbacks, have to be admired. He just picked himself up, and carried on. I am certainly sad that he had to go and not even get the chance to see his newly formed party through the next General Election, but I pray that he rests in peace – he lived his life to the fullest here on Earth, he will certainly be remembered, and now he is with his beloved wife. Till the time comes when all of us get to meet again in Heaven. Goodbye Mr J.B..
I had a shock when I took The Straits Times to read yesterday and saw the front page news that Mr Jeyaratnam had passed away. I was just talking about him a month ago, not to mention 15 minutes before I read the news.
I saw him once in 2005. I recall that I was on half day leave to do some stuff, and when I had finished I decided to stop at Orchard Road. I was coming out of Centrepoint when I saw him just in front of the building, a small table by his side and holding a book out towards passing people. I knew who he was then, but did not know what he was doing, which was selling his books to pay off his debts. People were just walking by him and no one stopped or glanced at him. Neither did I. My friend later commented that people were afraid to do so, despite probably knowing who he was, probably because of fear. As for me, despite knowing who he was, I minded my own business and since no one stopped or was talking to him, neither did I.
Years later, well, earlier this year, when I started to read up more about him in the newspapers, and learnt of his enthusiasm in setting up another party after being discharged as a bankrupt, despite his age, I really regretted not going up to him, just to say hi. And I regret it more so now that he has passed on. Reading up the many tributes to him, I realise that I am not alone in this regret.
It is sad to realise that a lot of people thought that he did have good in him and spoke up about it only after his death, but then again I can be considered one of them. I had long wanted to post my encounter with him at Centrepoint but was afraid in doing so lest I be thought of supporting the opposition, when all I wanted to do was express my regret in not acknowledging someone who was and has played a part in the history of Singapore politics, and who was right in front of my nose – i.e. I had the chance to meet someone like this. How often would you see someone like this on the streets and could go right up to him.
Anyway, I pray that he gets to go to heaven, coz I do believe he was a good man and he did genuinely care for Singaporeans. And c’mon, his drive, tenacity, will and enthusiasm, all these despite his age and whatever setbacks, have to be admired. He just picked himself up, and carried on. I am certainly sad that he had to go and not even get the chance to see his newly formed party through the next General Election, but I pray that he rests in peace – he lived his life to the fullest here on Earth, he will certainly be remembered, and now he is with his beloved wife. Till the time comes when all of us get to meet again in Heaven. Goodbye Mr J.B..
posted by Marie Therese @ 11:04 pm
1 Comments:
At 11:01 pm ,
Natasha Yong said...
This is an interesting read from Chee Soon Juan
http://yoursdp.org/index.php/perspective/vantage/1174-goodbye-dear-friend
JBJ - RIP
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