Photos of JBJ’s funeral service at St. Andrew’s Cathedral AND memorial event at Speakers’ Corner

Click the image above to view my photos from the funeral service

 

Click this image to see my photos of the memorial event at Speakers Corner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who came for the event. A huge thank you to those who made this event possible. You know who you are….thank you to each and every one of you.

Source: Jacob’s Weblog

Photos of JBJ’s funeral and cremation at Mandai Crematorium, 4 October 2008

Field report and photos by Eugene Yeo

A picture speaks a thousand words – A silent tribute to JBJ at Mandai Crematorium

Arrival 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Paying last respect

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final farewell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Some Singaporeans I spoke to at the reception after the cremation:

Desmond Tan, 19: JBJ is an inspiring figure. It is a pity that I do not have the chance to meet him when he is still alive.

Yong C L, 44: JBJ has done a lot for Singaporeans when he was a MP during the 1980s. The PAP borrowed many of his ideas such as the Town Councils we have today, do you know that ?

Kumathy, 23: There is only one JBJ. After him, I do not think there will anybody who is passionate enough to sacrifice so much for his beliefs. God bless his soul !

Mohammad Khari, 40: He was always seen in the ward (Anson) even during the weekends. Though he is a lawyer, he never carry any airs about him. He is truly a MP of the rakyat.

Gan S E, 60: We all know Cheng San was fixed. The PAP cannot afford to lose a GRC. It was very real then as many of us are damned pissed with the (PAP) MPs. They are really a useless bunch, jiak liao bee ! When the results are announced, we couldn’t believe it ! Every one of our neighbors say they will vote for JBJ.

Christina Lee, 36: JBJ has given his best for Singapore. We don’t deserve his love…….(burst into tears)

 

Source: Wayangparty Club

 

Photos and videos of JBJ’s Funeral service at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, 4 October 2008, 2.30 – 3.30pm

Field report and photos by Cheng Siew Peng

Blessed is the man who perserves under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1: 12

 

2pm: St Andrew’s Cathedral in the heart of SIngapore’s Central Business District

 

2.10pm: Singapore girls shopping at the Bata shop opposite the Cathedral. Are they aware of JBJ’s funeral service today ?

 

2.15pm: Where are the guys ? Are they here at Funan ?

 

2.25pm: The road leading to St Andrew’s Cathedral.

 

2.30pm: Singing of hymns at the tentage erected outside the Cathedral which is completely filled up.

 

2.35pm: Singaporeans from different races and religions mourns the demise of JBJ.

 

2.40pm: Inside the Cathedral.

 

2.40pm: Philip Jeyaretnam, JBJ’s younger son, giving an eulogy of his father.

 

3.30pm: Rest in peace, JBJ, you have served Singaporeans well, it is time to take a good rest with the Lord.

 

Source: Wayangparty Club

 

The day JBJ made me cry: Photos of JBJ’s wake on 3 October 2008

Article and Photos by Fang Zhi Yuan

I drove straight to Mount Vernon after picking little Marcus up from the nursery together with my wife. As I turned into Mount Vernon, we were greeted by a huge banner of condolence to the family of JBJ. My wife, being wife, was still nagging me for making a long detour instead of returning home.

“I still don’t understand why you are so free to come and pay respects to a man we have never met”

“Who says so ? We did meet him a few years ago, remember ?” I snapped.

Well, it’s not exactly a meeting. I first saw JBJ selling his books outside Orchard MRT with my girlfriend (now wife) during my undergraduate days. I had wanted to walk up and talk to him, but my wife pleaded with me not to jeopardize our future by being seen together with this opposition icon.

I still recall her rather silly words till today: “What if somebody take a photo of us and send it to the government ? Then we will never be able to find work in the civil service and even in Singapore you know ?”  Perhaps not so silly after all if we realize quite a significant portion of Singaporeans actually share her irrational fears.

The road leading up the parlors are lined completely with cars and I have to park further up. Of course, my wife kept grumbling all the way as we walked down towards funeral parlor 1 where JBJ’s wake is held.

The entire compound was filled with wreaths from JBJ’s relatives, friends, supporters and well-wishers that we almost mistook it to be the Botanical Gardens.

 

Eugene and Siew Peng, who came before me had told me about the huge support shown by Singaporeans. It was not reported by the mainstream media at all and I wouldn’t have believed it had I not seen it with very my own eyes.

There was a gigantic wreath embodied with the Chinese characters “Heavenly Kingdom” presented by WP’s Secretary General Low Thia Kiang. Though I may disagree with Mr Low on his methods and style in politics, I genuinely believe that in spite of the differences he had with JBJ when he was still alive, there was never any bad blood between the two men.

We went into the Chapel and said a silent prayer in respect of JBJ. His embalmed body lying serenely in the coffin, bereft of the passion which has driven him to devote his entire life in the service of Singapore. How I hate myself (and my wife) for not plucking the courage to listen to his words of wisdom when I had the chance to !

It was 6pm and the crowd started to swell. Singaporeans from all races, religions and walks of life lined up orderly and quietly to sign JBJ’s condolence book – a testimony of JBJ’s enduring charm and stature in the hearts of Singaporeans.

As I was carrying Marcus in one arm, my hands are quivering as I wrote my condolence message in the half-filled book (in fact the 4th): “Dear JBJ, you are truly a hero for Singaporeans. Rest in peace !”

I went over to the booth to buy JBJ’s book “Make it right for Singapore”. I enquired about the price and was pleasantly surprised to be told that the amount to pay is entirely voluntary and the proceeds will go to the Reform Party founded by JBJ in July this year.

I took out a hundred dollar note and before I could put it into the donation box, my wife hit me hard on the wrist.

“You crazy is it ? Got money to donate to political party, no money to bring the family out for a tour ??”

Are Singaporeans as pragmatic as my wife ?

Certainly not JBJ who paid a huge price to fight for the rights of Singaporeans.

For once in my life, I felt proud to be a Singaporean because of a fellow Singaporean named JBJ who walked tall amongst us.

 As I flipped through his book, my tears start to flow uncontrollaby as I read his anthem for Singapore – ”Make it right for Singapore” which ends with the following stanza:

“Singapore, Oh Singapore, how I love you my Singapore

How I love my Singapore, Singapore, Singapore”

I am so sorry, JBJ !!

In spite of all the tribulations, torture and agony you have been put through by your adversaries, you had never stop loving Singapore !!”

 You are not paid a million dollars of annual salary to serve Singaporeans, in fact you were just discharged from bankruptcy at the age of 81. Yet, you feel so much for us to continue to labor on at a age when most people would have retired.

Had I known how much you love Singapore when I saw you on that fateful day, I would have rushed forward and HUG you !

My dear JBJ, though you may have disappeared from my life forever, because of your love for Singapore, I will stay on to spread my love for my fellow citizens.

Thank you for teaching me the true meaning of love.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”

Corinthians 13:4-7

 

Source: Wayang Party Club

 

JBJ’s wake at Mount Vernon, 30 September 2008, 7pm

Article and photos by Eugene Yeo

I arrived at Mount Vernon at 8.30pm as the visitors started to stream in. Rolls of wreaths from many friends, supporters and well-wishers lined the entrance as I walked in together with my wife.

Zhi Yuan couldn’t make it in the last minute as his father was admitted to hospital while Fairuz was breaking fast with his family, so I was the only one from the gang who is present.

 

The journalists were early as usual, taking photos and interviewing the guests. I wondered what they will write in the papers tomorrow ?

 

JBJ’s books were on sale at a booth, but nobody seems to be buying it. I guess most of us are too distraught by the sudden departure of JBJ to accept it.

 

A few familar faces appeared – Ti Lik, E Jay, Kum Hong, Teck Siong, WP members Shin Leong and Melvin Tan. Uncle Yap appeared lost and disconsolate. It must be a terrible blow to him.

 

The TOC guys were there too. They appeared to be in great spirits, chatting and cracking small jokes with one another. Andrew Loh was dressed in a blue T-shirt together with another bespectacled chap and a young girl in black trying to interview one of the guests who was obviously not in a mood to talk.

We walked into the chapel and pay our respects to JBJ. My wife and I had never seen JBJ before in real life. I felt a tinge of sadness that I never had the chance to shook the hands of this great man.

Philip thanked us for coming, his eyes were still red. JBJ has a history of heart problem, but his condition was stable all along. Nobody expects his heart will fail him suddenly last night. The medical team at TTSH had tried their best to revive him to no avail. God has brought his worthy son home.

We left halfway as the rain started to pour. As I walked pass the booth, I stole a glance at the Reform Party donation box with JBJ’s books piling on top of the table. I can’t help worrying about the future of Reform Party. Who is going to take over JBJ and complete his unfinished work ?

 

Source: Wayang Party Club