Kenneth Jeyaretnam, secretary-general and leader of the Singapore Reform Party, died peacefully in his sleep on July 18, 2026, surrounded by his family at age 67 [1, 2, 3, 4]. His wife, Amanda Jeyaretnam, announced his death the following day via a Facebook post, describing him as her "beloved husband and a loving and devoted father to his son, Jared," and thanked supporters who visited him in hospital [1, 2].
Jeyaretnam took over the leadership of the Reform Party in May 2009, following the death of his father, JB Jeyaretnam, the first opposition MP elected after Singapore's independence [1, 3, 4]. He led the party for more than 17 years until his passing [2]. Kenneth, a Cambridge graduate, was known as a vocal critic of the government and received several correction notices under Singapore's Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) [4].
He actively contested elections throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. He ran in the 2011, 2015, and 2020 general elections as well as the 2013 Punggol East by-election but did not secure a parliamentary seat [3, 4]. In the 2020 General Election, Jeyaretnam led a five-member Reform Party team challenging then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) [2, 3, 4].
Jeyaretnam’s later political activity was limited by health problems. He suffered from deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, which affected his ability to travel and campaign [3]. In April 2025, he announced on medical advice that he could not contest further elections [3].
Funeral arrangements are being finalized for a small family service, with a memorial planned for a later date [1, 2, 4]. Amanda Jeyaretnam expressed the family’s deep loss and gratitude to well-wishers, saying, "He filled our lives with joy and wonder and we miss him so much" [2].
