He became a champion of causes such as human rights, democracy and the abolition of the Internal Security Act--allowing detention without trial. Above all, Jeyaretnam was famed for ending a 16-year monopoly of the ruling People's Action Party in parliament when in 1981 he became the first non-PAP MP since independence in 1965.

On May 27, however, Jeyaretnam was replaced as head of the Workers' Party by his deputy, Low Thia Khiang. Jeyaretnam, 76, one of only three opposition MPs, said it was time for new blood and insisted he wasn't quitting politics. "God willing, I shall be participating in the next general election," he said in a statement. In late April, he had attracted more than 1000 supporters in a drive to help pay hundreds of thousands of dollars that he owes in damages for defamation suits against him. But if an appeal in July against his being declared bankrupt fails, he faces being disqualified from politics.

Low, 45, says the Workers' Party will focus on "renewal" and remain an alternative voice, especially for the less well-off. It's a hard act to follow. But not everyone in the opposition mourned Jeyaretnam's departure. Some activists even saw him as a bit out of touch and hope now to focus on issues they see as closer to the hearts of the Lion City's voters.