Think Centre managed to find this article from the former New Nation on what JBJ was going to do after his victory in 1981. It might seem odd that this article was written in the Lee Kuan Yew era. Read it and you will be surprsied on how well journalists then knew the ground.
I'll start work right away, says Jeya (New Nation, Nov 2, 1981)
Mr J B Jeyaretnam, the first opposition man to be elected to Parliament in the last 13 years, will plunge into constituency work right away.
His first task will be to look into the quit notices served by the Port of Singapore Authority to 700 families in Blair Plain.
He plans to discuss the matter with PSA today and then meet the residents involved on "this urgent matter", he said in an interview yesterday.
Slightly lower on his priority list is the resettlement issue. Longer term issues that he plans to take up will include higher medical fees and higher cost of flats.
"I intend to discharge what I have promised the voters," he said.
Mr Jeyaretnam will write to the Housing Board asking for premises for him to start an office in Anson.
He will then turn his attention to the grassroot organisations, such as the citizens' consultative committee, in his constituency.
"I intend to examine the structure and have office- bearers who are elected by the people, not appointed by the Prime Minister's Office," he said.
What if the PMO disallows this? "They may cut off the funds to us. I'm prepared to face that."
Does he foresee problems in getting the cooperation of the PAP government to do a good job in Anson?
"I do not think any sensible political party will want to do that -- how will they call themselves a responsible party if they shut the doors on me?
"But if they do, I will expose them."
The Workers' Party will also receive Mr Jeyaretnam's attention.
The party will be reorganised and strengthened to prepare for the next general elections.
"Slowly but surely, we are going to build a society with participation of all the people," he added.
"Come 1984, we'll be ready for the elections."
How Jeya got there
Mr Jeyaretnam's bid to get into Parliament began way back in 1972 when he lost to Dr Lee Chiaw Meng in Farrer Park. He only got 2,668 votes or 23 per cent of the votes cast.
After that, he contested in five elections and by- elections.
This is how he fared against PAP candidates:
1976 general elections: Kampung Chai Chee against Mr Fong Sip Chee; he got 7,177 votes or 40 per cent.
1977 by-election: Radin Mas against Mr Bernard Chen; 5,021 votes or 29 per cent.
1979 by-elections: Telok Blangah against Rohan Kamis; 8,036 votes or 39 per cent.
1980 general elections: Telok Blangah against Rohan Kamis; 8,141 votes or 47 per cent.
1981 by-election: Anson against Mr Pang Kim Hin; 7,012 votes or 51.9 per cent.
