SINGAPORE: Opposition figure JB Jeyaretnam submitted an application on Thursday to register the new Reform Party as a political party.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, the 82-year-old said he has submitted 10 names - which is the minimum number required to form a political party.

He said the application would take two months to process and he does not foresee any difficulties in getting his application approved.

Mr Jeyaretnam added he will assume the role of the Reform Party's secretary-general.

He made political history in 1981 when he became the first opposition politician elected to parliament. He was then secretary-general of the Workers' Party.

A lawyer, he was disbarred when he was declared a bankrupt in 2001 after failing to pay libel damages to members of the PAP, including former prime minister Goh Chok Tong.

He emerged from bankruptcy in May last year, after paying off S$233,255 in damages from defamation lawsuits filed by Singapore's leaders. He was also reinstated to the Bar and has resumed legal practice.

Being solvent again makes him eligible to run in elections. - AFP/vm