Senior lawyer V Jeyaratnam dies, aged 101

 He was also the longest-serving chairman of the Perak Turf Club.

V Jeyaratnam was called to the Bar on Oct 21, 1953 and was an accomplished criminal lawyer at the height of his career. (Ratnamalar Jeyaratnam pic)

PETALING JAYA:

V Jeyaratnam, the country’s oldest lawyer, died this morning, at the age of 101.

An accomplished criminal lawyer at the height of his career, Jeyaratnam also has the distinction of being the longest-serving chairman of the Perak Turf Club, based in Ipoh.

Jeyaratnam, who was called to the Bar on Oct 21, 1953, also served as chairman of Yayasan Sultan Idris Shah, a non-profit foundation to help the disabled.

Jeyaratnam’s nephew, Ernest Balasingam, also a lawyer, said his uncle passed away surrounded by his family members.

He is survived by his three children, Jeyarajah, Jeyamalar and Ratnamalar, as well as two grandchildren, Shankar and Jeyanthi.

Jeyaratnam’s wife, Dr Rajamalar Jeyaratnam, passed away in 2008 at the age of 78.

A wake will be held tomorrow at 8.45pm at the Church of St Michael in Ipoh, while the funeral will take place on Saturday. - FMT