OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND HIS CABINET
30 September 2008
Dear Prime Minister & Cabinet Members
By all accounts, we have lost a figure of uncommon strength and conviction in Mr JB Jeyaretnam.
No matter which side of the political fence we stand, it is undeniable that Mr JBJ, as he will be fondly remembered, has fought long and hard for what he believed was good for Singapore and, good for Singaporeans.
Mr JBJ did all he could with all he could. In staying the course, he has undoubtedly performed a public duty as a citizen of Singapore and, amply demonstrated the public spirit, the commitment to country and, the "nation before self" maxim that the government has sought to propagate.
As Singaporeans we are proud that such a man as Mr JBJ walked among us. We appreciate the sacrifices Mr JBJ has made for his beliefs in serving the people of Singapore . We are equally proud that the government, in spite of its political differences, has acknowledged the same resilience and service to nation in Mr JBJ.
Mr JBJ is an icon - an individual who stood up to serve the country and who stood tall for his beliefs and principles. As citizens of Singapore , we hope that Mr JBJ's public spiritedness and love of the law can be preserved in the following manner:
1) a professorial chair in the name of Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam be created in the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore and,
2) A scholarship fund in the name of Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam for graduate studies in political science and/or constitutional law and/or civil society studies.
We also humbly ask the government to further demonstrate its commitment to public spiritedness and active citizenry by taking the lead to provide the seed fund for the above honours for others to follow.
We look forward to your encouragement as we mourn the loss of one of Singapore's better sons.
The above is the open letter sent by some JBJ supporters.
Point to note is their request for a professorial chair in the name of Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam be created in the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore and, a scholarship fund in the name of Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam for graduate studies in political science and/or constitutional law and/or civil society studies.
In a way, i feel that its quite appropriate for such request to be fulfilled, as JBJ will remain in history as the legendary man who broke that Opposition's duck as well as being infamously passionate towards his course. Not to forget his big heart towards the ppl who needed help. His strive in the political circle (one though fiery but constructive) marks that he deserve to serve as a role model for the younger generation of Singaporeans, especially the political science students, as to what is Patriotism and Loyalty to Country is all about.
I applause what the open letter sought to achieve. But I am kindda skeptical if PAP or the Lee family would cede to such a request. It seems that this could be especially difficult given the personal rivalry between JBJ and MM Lee...
But if PAP do cede to this 2 request, I think Singaporeans will truely respect the magnanimousness that the government would display.
I think a person like JBJ's calibre and legacy in the non-PAP world do deserve that is proposed. I applause the person who seed this idea as well. =}
This request is actually beyond my expectation. It probably marks a more civilised approach from the non-PAP side of Singapore. A memorial in which is, in my opinion, acceptable, not too flamboyant, and totally within "reach" and nearly doesnt cost anything. Totally "un-opposition-like", given how oppositions tendency to ask for the impossible, this is a markly different approach.
Hopefully in the future, the Oppositions can be more constructive as the above request; one in which ppl can respect and not find it wanting.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment