"We need more disturbers of the peace because the peace that the PAP wants and which we've had is the enforced silience of the people where not a voice in dissent is heard," he said.

Political dissent of any kind is rare in Singapore where the PAP has been in power since the city-state gained independence in 1965 and has enjoyed crushing victories in every elections.

Jeyaretnam, the former secretary-general of the Workers' Party, is a long-time foe of the PAP, has regularly questioned its policies and has been a champion of human rights in his colourful political career.

He entered parliament in 1981 as the first non-PAP member of parliament but was eventually expelled when declared bankrupt after he was unable to pay off the massive damages awarded to PAP members in a series of defamation suits.

Local civil rights group, the Think Centre, awarded its first ever human rights award to Jeyaretnam to mark Human Rights Day on December 10.

"He's a man of principles who's been trying to bring justice ... he deals with them all," said Think Centre president Sinapan Samydorai.

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