Reform Party leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam dies aged 67
His wife told CNA he had been unable to return to Singapore after falling seriously ill in the UK, where he later developed sepsis in the final weeks of his life.
Reform Party leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam. (Photo: Facebook/Kenneth Jeyaretnam)
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SINGAPORE: Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, secretary-general of the Reform Party (RP), has died, his wife said on Sunday (Jul 19). He was 67 years old.
Mr Jeyaretnam died in his sleep, surrounded by family, on Saturday, said Mrs Amanda Jeyaretnam in a post on her husband’s Facebook page.
“He was my beloved husband and a loving and devoted father to his son, Jared. He filled our lives with joy and wonder, and we miss him so much,” she said.
She added that funeral details for a small family service were currently being finalised and a memorial to celebrate Mr Jeyaretnam’s life would be arranged at a later date.
Mrs Jeyaretnam told CNA that her husband had initially travelled to the United Kingdom for a holiday, but fell ill towards the end of the trip and was unable to return to Singapore.
He continued to battle deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and was later diagnosed with an autoimmune disease while undergoing treatment, she said. In the final weeks of his life, he developed sepsis.
In July 2024, Mr Jeyaretnam said he was in the UK and "seriously ill" with several medical conditions, including DVT and bilateral pulmonary embolism.
DVT refers to a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg, and can involve serious medical complications. Bilateral pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood to the lungs.
Mrs Jeyaretnam said she was unable to share the specific cause of her husband's death as she had not yet received a medical certificate.
Asked how she would like her husband to be remembered, Mrs Jeyaretnam described him as a "loving father" and "devoted family man", who was very proud of his son.
He loved eating and travelling, and was very funny, she added.
"I think people should remember him as someone who was very straight and moral," said Mrs Jeyaretnam, adding her husband had an "unwavering belief in democracy".
Mr Jeyaretnam is survived by his wife Amanda, their son Jared and his younger brother, High Court judge Philip Jeyaretnam.
POLITICAL CAREER
The eldest son of the late opposition icon JB Jeyaretnam, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam took over the leadership of his father’s party in 2009.
The Cambridge graduate contested three General Elections from 2011, as well as the 2013 Punggol East by-election. In 2020, the last election he took part in, Mr Jeyaretnam led a five-member RP team against then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Ang Mo Kio GRC.
Mr Jeyaretnam was also a vocal critic of the government, regularly commenting on politics and public policy on social media and his personal website. Over the years, he received multiple correction directions under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA).
"THOUGHTFUL, COURTEOUS"
RP said it was "deeply saddened" by the death of its former secretary-general, describing him as someone who "fiercely championed democracy" and consistently put Singapore above his own political ambitions.
In a statement, party chairman and acting secretary-general Mahaboob Batcha said Mr Jeyaretnam's passion for the cause "never wavered" and that, had he been well enough, "he would have undoubtedly contested the elections once again".
Lim Tean, leader of the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), hailed Mr Jeyaretnam as a "steadfast voice in Singapore's opposition".
RP was once part of PAR, which began as a four-party opposition alliance, but withdrew from it in 2025.
"When he believed in something, he never wavered, no matter how unpopular the cause might be. That was the measure of the man, and it was his father's spirit living on in him," said Lim.
His former lawyer Clarence Lun said in a Facebook post that he visited Mr Jeyaretnam in hospital in June, when he was not fully alert.
Mr Lun said their professional relationship allowed him to know more about Mr Jeyaretnam away from the political stage.
"Kenneth was thoughtful, courteous and scrupulous in his dealings," he wrote.
He added that Mr Jeyaretnam's contribution to Singapore's public life should never be measured solely by whether he held political office.
"Public service is also the willingness to stand, to question, to endure criticism and to keep an alternative voice alive when doing so is difficult. Kenneth did all of those things," he said.
Mr Jeyaretnam had been under investigation by the police and the POFMA Office for possible offences under the Act as well as possible contempt of court.
His wife said her husband had intended to return to Singapore and fight his case, but was prevented by his illness.
"He was desperate to get home again," she said.
While Mr Jeyaretnam never won any of his election contests, he was not bothered by the losses, said Mrs Jeyaretnam.
"He wanted to get up and get back to the next fight."
