Tribute to JBJ
From Chapter 5: New Nation Days
‘’By the time of the Anson by-election on 31 October 1981, which pitted JBJ against newcomer Pang Kim Hin, the pro-opposition sentiments at the grassroots were at an all-time high.
On the night of the polls, I was in the NN office when the news came that the long dominance of the PAP had ended. There was a roar of approval among those present.
Borrowing a line that Lee used after the Merger referendum victory and punching the air with my fist ala-LKY, I screamed, the people of Anson have exploded the myth of PAP invincibility. I was then at the peak of my anti-PAP stance. Later we went out for a late night drink to celebrate JBJ’s victory.
JBJ made history that night by easily trouncing his opponent and becoming the first opposition MP in post-independent Singapore. When he suffered financial ruin later because of Lee’s libel suits, I sympathised with him.
Overall, I think his role as Mr Opposition had been positive for Singapore. I salute him for his ability to withstand the PAP onslaughts without losing his sanity or decency. In some way, I think he helped to push the PAP back on a more benign track.’’
Ismail Kassim
